BEGIN, CONTINUE AND COMPLETE YOUR GOD GIVEN NEW YEAR PT 2

COLOSSIANS 3:1-2, ACTS 26:22

CONTINUE

Grace and Peace to all.  In our previous article we referenced the New

Year and what it might bring to us.  We spoke of New Beginnings and New Awakenings, and yes even new challenges each Christian will face as they walk with the Lord.

As true disciples of Christ we must “ set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”  For if we then be risen with Christ, we must, “seek those things, which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.”(Col 3:1)

I want to deviate a little from the passage in Colossians, and refer to Paul’s writings in the book of Acts. (Act 26:22) Remember once we begin any project, we must continue until its completion.  Paul, a former persecutor of the Church, had a face-to-face encounter with God on the road to Damascus that caused a drastic change in his mission.  Paul a true Jew from the beginning of his life, and of the straitest sect of his religion, lived a Pharisee. (One who taught and had complete command of the Jewish Laws).

However, in his early life, Paul did many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  Because of his ignorance of who Jesus was, he put the followers of Christ in prison, and punished them often from synagogue to synagogue.  He even traveled to strange cities with the intent to beat intimidate and punish in any way as many believers as possible.

As Paul traveled the road to Damascus with every intention to punish the next set of believers, God caused not only a GREAT LIGHT FROM HEAVEN to shine upon Him, but also a great TRANSFORMATION that would forever change his life. Paul realized it was God whom he persecuted.   From that moment on the Lord God commanded Paul to arise, prepare to go forth as a minister.  He was to speak of the things, which he had just seen, and those things the Lord would appear unto him.  Paul was commissioned to open the eyes of the Gentiles and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.  He was to build their faith in God and help them realize that forgiveness of sin was would be theirs through Jesus Christ.

From that day on, Paul said “Having there obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”(Acts 26:22)

Paul had no intention of stopping the mission until its completion. He continually preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, though beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned, he still spread the “Good News”

It doesn’t matter where you met Jesus, or what state you were in.  Once you repent, are baptized in the name of Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, receive the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, you must continue in the Word, in prayer and witnessing to others of this Great Savior.

Submitted by:

Elect Lady, Evang. G. Patricia Baker