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From Saul To Paul

Before Paul became an Apostle of Jesus Christ he was a leader of a band that seeked to hurt and even kill the Christians. So why would such an evil man be given a second chance by the same Person (the Lord) that Saul (now Paul) persecuted? Why don't other evil men get that same chance?

Paul Saul From

All men have this same chance. Saul repented of his sins. It is true he was visited personally and this helped his conversion, but the Lord knew in advance that he would be a valient church leader. He knows each of us personally. Saul's behavior was a result of his knowledge and experience at that point in time. He was given an opportunity to change his behavior once he had been made aware of his error. My faith teaches me that we all have this same opportunity. For some it comes in this life, for some after they have passed through the veil, but we are all given the same opportunity to embrace the Gospel.

Edited: funbikerchick on 14th Feb, 2005 - 9:20pm

From Saul To Paul Revealed Bible The

I would like to point out that Saul wasn't really evil. He was zealously protecting what he understood to be the truth. According to his understanding of Mosaic law, stoning to death was the proper punishment for the types of heresy that he saw around him.

Actually, he was a very devout and faithful (according to his understanding) defender of the faith.

This is evident by the fact that as soon as he understood the difference between the truth and what he had understood to be the truth, he changed every aspect of his life.

Paul Saul From

Why should such a person get a second chance? Because in the eyes of God, all are sinners and no sin is greater than the other. Because Jesus died so we could all have a second chance. Because God is filled with nothing but love for each and every one of us.

I've done a lot of reading in the past about martyrs overseas and persecuted nations. There are countless stories of Christians who have been arrested and beaten and tormented, and because of their continued dedication to God have been fruitful witnesses to those who did them harm. In return, their captors came to know Christ.

In our earthly eyes, we label sins as worse or better, if you will, than others. God does not see it that way. Sin is sin. If I were to go out and murder somebody, I would still have to ask God for forgiveness in the same manner as if I had just told some little white lie. It's here on earth that I would have more recompense for my action.

On top of that, God knows out hearts better than we ever could. He knows what we are capable of, and He knows what needs to happen in order for us to even begin to fulfill our potential. With Paul, it took blinding him on the road to catch his full attention. He repented and was given forgiveness.

Paul Saul From

This scripture seems to indicate that not all sin is looked upon as equal. While I agree that all sin except the one mentioned above can and will be forgiven if the person truly repents, to me, it would appear there might be a difference in how a murderer is forgiven and how a person who commits a white lie is forgiven. Both need the Savior's grace to forgive them, but I think the repentance process would be significantly more involved and/or difficult for the murderer than the liar.

However, I do, very much believe that if a man such as Hitler, truly repented of his sins, he would be afforded the same forgiveness as I am entitled to receive. I don't believe though, that it is likely a man who has committed such atrocities is likely to ever come to a point in their life where they can feel the Spirit witness to them so that they might even consider repenting and asking for forgiveness.

Paul was given individual attention. I believe the Lord truly understood that Paul wasn't "evil" as Nighthawk has already pointed out, but very devout. This is probably why he was given that special, individual attention. Saul's life experiences prepared him to be the great Christian leader that he became. I don't think this is true of all people who commit grievious sins.

Edited: funbikerchick on 1st Mar, 2005 - 1:41pm

From Saul To Paul

In my humble opinions, sins are sins in the eyes of God but as Tena pointed out the process of repentance varies depending on the seriousness of the sin. I do not think God judges every sin in the same way.

We are all sinners and we all deserve a second chance. I do not know if Paul was an "evil" man but what I do know is that the wonderful way God sees each one of us...he does not see us for what we are only but what we can become and that's what he did with Paul. He used Paul's hate towards the Christians at that time and transformed it into love towards him and his Gospel. It is one of the most extraordinary conversion stories recorded in the scriptures and it help us to understand more how merciful is God with each one of his children.