Young People's Group

SHARING A GOOD TESTIMONY OF OUR SALVATION IN CHRIST

May 11, 2014

Taking Every Opportunity To Share Our Salvation

Does salvation have a deep impact on your life? It most definitely did for the apostle Paul. He was so profoundly appreciative of being saved by grace that every opportunity he had, he would share about his conversion and faith in Christ with others. In the text of Acts 22, Paul gave a defence concerning how he came to know the Lord Jesus. When Paul appeared before King Agrippa in the text of Acts 26, again, he grabbed this chance to give a wonderful and well-reasoned testimony concerning his purpose in life. The Lord Jesus had told him that he would be His chosen vessel to bear His name before Gentiles, Kings and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). This was indeed being fulfilled as he gave his defence before the king. How did Paul go about giving a good testimony of his faith?

1. Recalling One’s Sinful Past Life

“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus” 
Acts 26:9

Paul was trained from his youth to be a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of his religion. As the gospel began to spread, he had a strong yet wrong opinion that he was to do all things against the name of the Lord Jesus. He mercilessly brought Christians into prison and voted that they be put to death. He hated the Christians very much and was enraged against them. This was his sinful past.

2. Experiencing The Spiritual Reality Of The Person Of Christ

“And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'” 
Acts 26:15

The Lord Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus in a most dramatic way and he recognised that the One whom he was persecuting was real and alive. He realised that he had been dreadfully wrong in persecuting the Christians. The very Jesus whom he hated was now talking to him in person (Acts 26:16). God was most merciful to him (1 Timothy 1:13). Young people, have you come to see and experience the reality of the Lord as your Saviour? Paul did and he was forever changed.

3. Having A God-Given Purpose In Life And Ministry

“But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness … to whom I now send you, to open their eyes” 
Acts 26:16, 17-18

A great sense of purpose in life does not come by chance. It comes from our divine heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus had appeared to Paul for this great purpose, that he would be a minister and a witness for Him. He would be sent by the Lord to help open the spiritually blind eyes of people so that they would move from darkness to light. Where once he sought to destroy Christians, through the Lord’s abundant grace (1 Timothy 1:14), he now found great purpose in being His servant.

4. Having A Life That Is Fully Committed To The Lord’s Vision

“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” 
Acts 26:19

The evidence of a person being deeply impacted by the Lord’s salvation is seen by how faithful he is in doing His will. Paul not only saw and understood this heavenly vision from the Lord, he was totally persuaded by it. He sought to be faithful in fulfilling it. He went to Damascus and everywhere sharing his faith in Christ with people. He almost convinced King Agrippa to be a Christian. Let’s also seek to be faithful in sharing the gospel with others. Let’s be obedient to His calling for our life. We never know whom we can help in coming to believe in the Lord Jesus.

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