I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. Acts 26:2, 13 KJV
As workers in the vineyard and children of God, a lot of us have gone after desires of our heart. Today God speaks to us to turn our life around. The great Apostle Paul, as Saul, was a Pharisee who was zealous for the things of God. In his love for the God of Israel he went after the disciples of Christ and all those who loved Christ in the early days after the death of Christ. On his way to do that which he believed was right he had an encounter with Christ that turned his life around. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Acts 26: 14&15 KJV
After this encounter with Jesus Christ Saul the Pharisee became Paul the great Apostle. He made a complete turn around to become one of the people he persecuted. Why? He believed that the path he had been walking on initially, even though it seemed like the right path, was actually the wrong one. This was what he explained to King Agrippa when he was arrested and brought before him.
While talking with King Agrippa, he highlighted on the following points as the things he did to turn his life around.
- Be able to fear God.
- Have a vision
- Full obedience to God and to the vision he has given you
- Have passion
- Have the word of God inside of you
- Be ready to work hard and diligently
- Do not allow discouragement in your life
With the seven (7) point Apostle Paul was able to finish his race. He was telling his spiritual son Timothy in a letter "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 6-8.v KJV
For us to be able to say just like Paul, that "we have fought a good fight and finished our race", there is a need to check ourselves and see where we have fallen short of God's purpose for our life and make a complete turn around. We are to turn not to the world but like Paul, turn to Christ and experience that same change that would have our outlook and life completely.
God is waiting for you today and Christ is saying " ..........(put your name here)............., why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Acts 26:14 KJV
