Jesus said, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”” John 8:31-32
Here’s a truth for us: The Gospel is more than just a benefit to us. The truth of the Gospel TRANSFORMS us.
Saul is on the way to Damascus to continue his assault on the Christian Faith. “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” Acts 9:1-2
Saul has an encounter with Jesus. His life is transformed, and we read, “Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” Acts 9:20
Saul was transformed and it showed. Once determined to rid the world of Followers of Jesus, now he is giving his life for the Gospel. Twice, once in Damascus and once in Jerusalem, they attempt to kill him.
I once was this, now I am in relationship with Jesus, I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Do you see yourself and other Followers of Jesus as new creations as being transformed? The disciples quickly noticed the transformation of Saul and treated him as such.
Look at verses 13, 32, 41... in different cities those that followed Jesus were called saints. Do you recognize this truth? The Bible refers to the Believer (Follower of Jesus) as a SAINT. Our lives are transformed by the Gospel and we move from sinners to saints. I am convinced this truth was settled in Saul and it propelled him to walk out his sainthood.
I once was a sinner, now I am a saint. I am no longer identified as a sinner but a saint according to the Bible. You too! That doesn’t mean you will never sin again, it means you have been transformed and the Father identifies you as His saint, His beloved. Let that truth transform you, let it set you free from your sinful past to your new identity as a saint in Christ. Now walk in it SAINT!
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.