A Change That Brought Blessings

Previously, Paul's knowledge of God came largely from the sect of the Pharisees, of which he was a member.  Their beliefs included much human philosophy and tradition.  Because of religious prejudices, Paul's zeal and efforts were misdirected. Though he though he was serving God, he was actually fight against him. -Philippians 3:5, 5. 

After receiving accurate knowledge about the Christ and his role in God's purpose, Paul could see that he was faced with a choice:  Should he remain a Pharisee and continue to enjoy the position and esteem, or should he change his life course and start to do whatever was necessary to gain God's approval?  Happily, Paul made the right choice, for he said; "I am not ashamed of the good news; it is, in fact, God's power for salvation to everyone having faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) Paul became a zealous preacher of the good news about the Christ and the Kingdom.

Many years later, Paul told his fellow Christians:  "I do not yet consider myself as having laid hold on it; but there is one thing about it: Forgetting the things  behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3;13, 14)  Paul benefited from the good news because he  willingly abandoned what had been steering him away from God and he wholeheartedly pursued goals that were in line with God's purpose. 

Next time: What Would You Do?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2001