The Gospel changes people. The book of Acts in the Bible recounts the story of Saul. Saul hated Christians. He went from house to house, dragging off to prison men and women who followed Jesus. He threatened them and delivered them to death.
Saul was a Pharisee. He grew up under the influence of the synagogue teachings. He knew the Law. He knew the Scriptures. But he didn’t know God. It was the Pharisees and other religious leaders who crucified Jesus. They saw Jesus and His followers as a threat to their own power. After the crucifixion, Saul was zealous for persecuting those who aligned themselves with Jesus. Then he encountered Jesus for himself. That changed everything.
Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus where he planned to destroy the lives of more believers. When Saul encountered the living Lord, it changed him. He believed in the resurrection. He saw how all of the Scriptures pointed to Jesus. He believed Jesus was the Son of God (Acts 9).
Saul devoted the rest of his life to spreading the good news of the Gospel message: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures [and then appeared to all of the apostles and to more than 500 others, many of whom were still alive at the time of Paul’s writing] 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 ESV.
Saul, the persecutor became Paul the apostle. Paul himself was then persecuted for his faith and his message. He peached the Gospel despite great opposition and hardship. Nothing could dissuade him from the truth nor from his mission to proclaim it.
The Gospel changes people. It’s not religion that does that, but the Gospel–the good news about Christ. Paul/Saul had plenty of religion in his background. It’s not just knowing the Scriptures that brings transformation. Saul knew the Scriptures. It is possible to study the Bible as an academic exercise and miss the power of God. Jesus called out the religious leaders for knowing the Scriptures but missing the point. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life (John 5:39-40 NIV). It was knowing Jesus that set Paul’s life on a completely different course.
The same is true for us. The Bible is the Living Word of God. From beginning to end it reveals God’s love for mankind. God provided the way of redemption for a world that turned away from Him– first in the garden, then again and again throughout history. The Bible reveals the way back to God is through Jesus. For God so loved the world he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). When we see Jesus for who He is, it changes everything. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold , the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Gospel changes people. Those who truly know Christ want others to know Him. They can stand firm in a world that mocks Him. They know Jesus is the only hope the world has.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes . . . Romans 1:16 NIV
How has knowing Jesus changed you? Do you know Him? He is ready to welcome whoever turns to Him. Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
© 2025 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
Thanks for sharing, Phyllis. I’m thankful for how God has changed me over time. And that I don’t have to be perfect – I just have to be me. And God will continue to work on the masterpiece He calls me. 🙂
Yes, Joni–so much for which to be grateful. Thanks.