Day 882: A surprising conversion - Galatians 1 vs 11 - 24

11 I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13-14 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15-17 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, (set me apart from my mother's womb) and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18-20 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him for fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21-24 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me. Galatians 1:11-24 English Standard Version

There are people today who we may think could never be changed by the gospel. Whether it's because they're so brilliant in science, so dogmatic about atheism, so convinced of their own religion, or so enslaved to alcohol, drugs, sex, wealth - or any of the other things people rush after, we don't see any hope for them to become faithful followers of Christ. Yet today's verses show how a man named Saul was the first of many surprising conversions that have happened in the course of history. In his case, how did it come about? (vs 12)

He experienced something extraordinary while on a journey to a place called Damascus where he intended to imprison any Christians he found there. And we’re told in the book of Acts that “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’” (Acts 9:3-6) That was the start of Saul’s conversion, and eventually his becoming the apostle known as Paul.

In the case of Paul, vs 13-14 show that he had been a very zealous Jew, just as today there are very zealous Muslims, Hindus and others. There are also people who are very zealous in their political ideologies, or in their hatred of anything religious. But, through the ages, what Paul describes in vs 15-17 has been true of others also who had been totally opposed to the gospel. Their encounter with Jesus may not have been as dramatic as Paul's was, but their eyes of unbelief were opened by God's Spirit and they became followers of Christ.

But, from vs 15-17 and 18-20, what was a big point that Paul was keen to have his readers understand?

He wanted them to know that the message he had preached to them wasn't something he'd learned second-hand from others, but something Jesus had made known, and which he had taken much time to think over and pray about. Yes, he'd met others who were Christians before him, but he wasn’t 'dropping names' to impress the Galatians.

Apart from adding to our understanding of what he develops in this letter, there are other things we can also learn from this. Conversion needs to be personal! Simply growing up in a country where a form of Christianity is part of society, or growing up with Christian parents, doesn't mean we are followers of Christ. There needs to be an awareness that we have come to see who Jesus really is, and of believing He bore our sins on His cross, and then receiving Him as Lord of our life. These things are expressed in being baptized. And, having believed on Christ, it is good to make time to learn of Him and think through all that the gospel teaches. And don't think there are people who can never be saved, or that God can't use you to touch their lives. He is able reveal His Son even to those we least expect.