by Pastor Alex Ruelo
One of the most controversial yet most important characters in the Bible is Paul. He is the reason why the word of God reached the Philippines; because of his mission and his travels all around.
So many people did not believe that he is a follower of Jesus, although 14 of the 27 books of the New Testament books are supposedly his. He is a Jew, a Pharisee who memorizes the laws given by Moses. The reason why Paul used to persecute and kill Christians during his time was because he did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Before he was Paul, he was called Saul of Tarsus, coming from the tribe of Benjamin.
In Acts 9 came the conversion of Paul. Surely, God prepared Saul for what was going to happen to him. 2 things I noticed about Paul are:
1. Paul is saved by grace. No matter how hard we try to be good and no matter what we do, it is only by God’s grace that we can enter His Kingdom.
2. Paul is a sinner that loved Jesus.
Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Everyday We should live for Jesus. While I live on this earth, I will live for Jesus.
Christianity is not about death. It’s about living. And when we live, we have freedom. When you accepted Jesus, you died from your old self. But you are alive because of Jesus.
Philippians 1:21 also says “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Even death has a purpose. His death until today proclaims the power of Jesus. If we die, do we still have a purpose?
If you are not ready to die, you are not ready to live. If you cannot die to yourself everyday, then you cannot live life according to God’s purpose.
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