A Previous Way of Life

“But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.”

Act 8:3

“For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.”

Galatians 1:13

Do you have a previous way of life?

Do you think, speak and behave differently than before Christ?

Paul had a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.

He persecuted the church of Christ so much so that his ‘turn-a-round’ was suspect to many.

Even when God spoke to a disciple called Ananias to go lay hands on Saul and pray for him to receive his sight, Ananias was reluctant:

He said: “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.”

But Ananias didn’t know that was now a previous way of life for Saul.

He had met Jesus and his life was changed.

Have you met Jesus?

Has your life changed?

Do people still regard you as living a previous way of life?

The fact that Paul’s conversion was genuine became evident not simply by the passing of time but by the changed life lived before others.

Not just a testimony but a testimony supported by changed actions.

No longer did he persecute those who followed The Way, he became its’ chief advocate.

As you follow Christ is it apparent to others?

Is there a before and after picture presented to others?

We are to reflect Christ each and every day.

Let others discover that you no longer live your previous way of life.

Then when they ask, tell them why!