The Transformative Gospel- Murderer to Martyr

If there was a hall of fame for believers I think Paul would be one of the first inductees. Paul is well known for his missionary journeys and going to great lengths to spread the gospel of Jesus. However, before Paul was one of the greatest missionaries and the writer of over a quarter of the New Testament, he was one of the most notorious persecutors of believers. So what changed? What can cause one of God’s biggest opposers to become one of his biggest supporters? 

Most of us are familiar with the conversion story of Paul. He was on the road to Damascus when God appeared to him as a blinding light. God called out to him saying: “why are you persecuting me?” Paul responded saying “who are you Lord?” God declared to him “I am Jesus, the one you have been persecuting. Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” So Paul continued into Damascus, blinded by the light, until a man named Ananias (who was sent by God) came and healed him. Paul’s sight was restored and he was baptized. He immediately began “proclaiming Jesus in the Synagogues.” (Acts 9:20) So.. Paul was converted and instantly became one of the most influential believers of all time, right? Well, not really.

We learn in Galatians 1:11-18 that Paul did not immediately return to Jerusalem proclaiming the gospel like Acts 9 makes it seem. Paul recounts his conversion in his letter to the churches of Galatia and says that he did not immediately go to Jerusalem, instead he went to Arabia for 3 years. Paul’s conversion happened on the road to Damascus but Paul’s transformation happened during his 3 years in Arabia.

We do not know anything about Paul’s time in Arabia, except that it was 3 years. Based on Paul’s complete life transformation we can speculate on some of the ways he spent his time. I am sure he spent a lot of time in God’s word, a lot of time in prayer, he might have fasted, and probably ministered to the people groups in Arabia. I believe one thing we can be sure of is that during those 3 years Paul completely surrendered his life to God and was changed. 

We often expect our transformation to come over night. We are waiting for our Damascus road experience and then we will be changed in an instant. Sadly, that probably won’t happen. It didn’t happen for Paul and it won’t happen for us. The transformative truth is this: if we completely surrender to God, then he can and will transform us. Paul did not become a “hall of fame believer” instantaneously and we can’t expect to either.

God can convert a heart in an instant but a total transformation requires total surrender and time. Devote your life to God and he will transform you. Stop waiting for God to give you your “Damascus road moment” and instead seek Him. Commit to more time with God, in His word, in prayer, and in His house. Surrender to Him and He will transform you. Don’t get discouraged when it doesn’t happen right away. Paul spent three years in Arabia and over a decade passed before his first missionary journey. Your transformation is coming, just trust God and His timing and continually seek Him. If God can transform one of His biggest persecutors into one of his biggest witnesses then I know He can change you!