Here Paul was recounting his conversion to the churches in the region of Galatia. He didn’t get right into the problems to get his point across and offer the solution. He spoke to them about the hard time he had coming to the point of conversion and then how it actually works in daily living for the Lord. Paul let them know his life before he was saved, and how it was when he was converted, and what was going on at that present time.
Galatians 1:18 “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. (19) But other of the apostles saw I none save James the Lord’s brother. (20) Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. (21) Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. (22) And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: (23) But they had heard only, that he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. (24) And they glorified God in me.”
Saul (Paul) was one who was bent and effective in stamping out the growth of the early church. He was church enemy #1 but ended up quickly becoming the greatest speaker for it. On the road to Damascus he met the Lord; in that experience he was blinded by the great light he saw. After regaining his sight he went to the synagogue. He had papers in his hand to do harm to Christians; what did he do when he got there? HE PREACHED JESUS! Talk about a confused group of people. Saul, the Pharisee who hated them, now called them brothers and sisters in the Lord. Was it too good to be true? It certainly was understandable if they were fearful of him.
Later he goes to Jerusalem and spent two weeks with Peter and saw only James, the brother of Jesus. James was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. So, here we are. The church enemy who left Jerusalem with papers giving him authority to arrest Christians was back to prove he was not their persecutor. All the ability he used to pull down was turned around to build up. He used that same energy to lift up the church that the devil used him to take it down. Instead of defaming the church, he spoke well of it. He used the Old Testament scrolls to defy Christianity; now he took those same scriptures and preached Jesus. Was this too good to be true? They saw Saul hold the garments of those who stone their beloved deacon Stephen. Now this same man was preaching in their synagogues. They chose to trust him and the gospel he shared.
Look at the potential you have. Galatia was getting away from the simplicity of the gospel. They threw in their own ideas or went back to the law and self-righteousness as the means of salvation. They forgot the faith that saved them. It was tearing the churches apart. Paul told them he did the same thing before he was saved but had learned to set it all aside and go on for the Lord. He told them they were brothers and sisters in the Lord. What a great potential they had.
You have a great talent, a great deal to contribute to the gospel. Satan may tell you otherwise, but don’t listen to him. He can use us to get in the way of the gospel. Our prayer must always be “Lord, help my light to shine and help me to promote the gospel through what talents I have.” Let’s lift up the faith not destroy it.
God gave us all potential to do great things. When we give it all to the Lord, it can be used for him. Things will get complicated otherwise. Let Jesus be where he needs to be in your life. We can work together. Is this too good to be true? If Jesus can turn someone like Saul around and use him to promote the gospel and the church as he did, he can do the same for us. Let’s bind our hearts together. Let’s use our potential. What great things we can do when we follow this. Is it too good to be true? Absolutely not! We’re all important and God can use us if we let him. Nothing is too good to be true with the Lord.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 