Paul transformed from being a church persecutor to become a churchgoer. He had an encounter with God and converted to Christianity. Paul recounted his story and said, “I persecuted this Way (Christianity) to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
“Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 22:4-8).
Lesson:
God is always willing to see a sinner repents of his/her sin and accepts the salvation offer of his Son Jesus Christ. Christ’s salvation is available to everyone. It is precious but free! Christ will accept anyone who comes to him. No matter how filthy someone’s life is, Christ will clean him/her up. He will repair damaged life and restore a beautiful future for anyone that comes to him. No religion is restricted, people of other faith can also come to Jesus Christ. He will accept everyone that comes to him – whether, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, traditionalist, or other. There is no other alternative means of obtaining eternal salvation than through Jesus Christ. People who currently practice other religions are expected to change their courses and become followers of Jesus Christ. All people must confess Jesus Christ as Lord to be saved. Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Prayer:
I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back; no turning back! Today, I (mention your name) declare Jesus Christ as my Lord; I confess my sins and repent from them. I dedicate my complete life to Jesus Christ, and I will serve you for the rest of my life. No more sin! No more devil’s games! My life belongs to Jesus Christ from today, and forevermore! Amen.