Theme Scripture

Galatians 1: 11-14: “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers”.  

The Lesson

After violently persecuting Christians, Paul, formerly Saul, had an encounter with the Christ on his journey to Damasus. It was this encounter that turned things around and brought him to the knowledge of Christ Jesus.

Paul recounts in Galatians 1:14 how he was advancing in Judaism, (his former life and belief system), and how he was extremely zealous for his ancestral traditions. 

What is interesting and notable about the life of Paul is how he transferred that zeal when he converted to Christianity – the zeal with which he pursued his ancestral traditions was now the zeal to convert people to Christianity and advancing the cause of Christ. 

For a lot of converts or Christians when they become born again, the story is different. When we were in/of the world, we used to be serial night clubbers; in the night club every Friday without fail. We would rally our friends to go out to drink, or smoke or engage in all kinds of immoral acts. When we turned to Christ however, the zeal to party hard was never converted to a zeal for the things of God. We have not transferred the zeal!

The zeal we had when pursuing the things of the world has not been used in the things of God and is lying latent. No wonder a lot of people backslide! – Because the pent up zeal is lying there waiting to creep up on people again. 

A good starting point is to fellowship with the Saints. Staying around party lovers generates some kind of excitement that you would perhaps not have if you were just at home nurturing the idea of going out to party as a solo person. Being around them may turn you into a “hardcore serial clubber”. It is the same with fellowshipping with the Saints. As the Bible says in Proverbs 27:17, “iron sharpeneth iron” and therefore it is critical as a believer to be in the company of fellow believers. So when you become born again, do not be isolated. 

Christianity is not boring; there are so many groups and activities you can engage in such as intercession group, prayer warriors, minstrels/choir, media, IT, ushering, cleaning, all night services, mid-week services, Sunday services, prayer retreats, etc. There is more than enough to keep you busy. 

Note that in Galatians 1:14, Paul states “I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers”.  Paul advanced in the traditions of his fathers because he was zealous; likewise, he advanced in his walk with God beyond his peers because of his zeal. The only way you can mature as a Christian is to be zealous when it comes to the work of God.

So channel the zeal; channel that energy as Paul did into soul winning; into prayer; into consistent fellowship with the Saints. The sexual encounters can now become heavenly encounters through intimacy with the Holy Spirit in the prayer closet; the consistent trips to the night club can now become being present consistently in the House of God. Rallying people to go partying, smoking and drinking can now be rallying people to Church or leading people to Christ through witnessing.

You do not need to know the entire Bible to be able to share God’s love. The little you have experienced is enough; you just have to open your mouth and the Holy Spirit will fill it up; ask the Holy Spirit to do exactly that. The force or power to convict souls lies with the Holy Spirit but God needs the medium or vessel. So do not be shy or afraid to speak to people about salvation or the love of God. 

Isn’t this gift of salvation precious enough to share? Are we too embarrassed to be identified as zealous Christians, or Christians on fire for God? Remember the Bible says in Luke 9: 26 that “for whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels”.

In Galatians 1:23-24, Paul states:

“22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me”.

So let it be said of you, that s/he who once glorified the things of the world and lived in darkness, is now bringing people to the Light, which is Christ Jesus.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you so much for my life and for the free gift of salvation. I pray to you today for the grace to be zealous for you. Give me love for the things of Your Kingdom and give me the grace to go all out for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen

*Now go on…don’t be shy. Be on fire for Jesus!!! It is the coolest thing you can ever do. Working for Jesus is better than working for the President. Just imagine working for the creator of the universe…What an honour!