Encounter Him

November1
I Corinthians 1:30 is powerful. In this verse a man who had been a hater of Christ and a persecutor of Christians boldly proclaimed the truth that transformed his life. It took him from being a man who assented to the persecution and death of anyone who named the name of Jesus to being one of the believers who were persecuted for that name that is above all names.

Here Paul says, “Because of God you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God. In Christ we are put right with God and have been made holy and have been set free from sin.” If anyone knew firsthand the fallacy of endeavoring to save oneself through works to please God, it was Paul.

Indeed, Paul thought he did God a favor when he went about breathing out threatenings against the small band of believers who claimed Jesus was the Messiah of Israel. The religious doctrine in which he had been steeped the entirety of his life was being assailed by this upstart religion and Paul was intent that he would put an end to it! But, instead, he was converted to it by a powerful encounter with the living Christ (see Acts, Chapter 9).

He who had persecuted the faithful became a faithful one who was himself persecuted. He who had been a hater of the Lord Jesus became one who loved Him unto death. May our prayers be fervent for those who are today enemies of the gospel of Jesus—that rather than slander or slay people of faith, they may themselves encounter Him, whom to know is life—that they, too, may be transformed from living death to eternal life in Him.