1Thessalonians 1:9 (KJV)
“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”
The Greek word here that is translated as “turned” is (epee-stref-o) which actually means “CONVERTED”, to turn about, to be going in one direction and abruptly turn around, 180 degrees and begin to go in another direction. There is always a proof of your “REPENTANCE” you will stop the way that you were living and begin to “live another way” it was so evident in the formation of the CHURCH that the “BORN AGAIN” believers were being called “the people of the WAY”, and Paul was a believer who had experienced it in a very dramatic way. So, do we remember the story of Paul’s own turning: Paul was an up and rising “STAR” of the Pharisee’s, Paul was first seen in the Bible as Stephen was stoned to death, and the YOUNG SAUL was present and the witnesses had laid their cloaks or coats at the feet of this young man called Saul, he was of the age of about 27 or 30 and had become a devout follower of Judaism, and was a Pharisee, and those that were witnessing the stoning or also of those that were to be taking part in the stoning. In the book of ACTS there are good accounts of the life of Paul. Paul was a very educated man, he had been born in Tarsus about 4 or 5 AD and he was a Roman, trained and taught by Gamaliel who was, well let me read it out of the scriptures as the actual words spoke by the APOSTLE Paul, in the book of Acts, as he defended himself to the Chief Captain that had just rescued him from a beating at the hands of Jews that were reacting to his preaching.
Acts 22:3 (KJV) “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.”
We are told some of what this man Gamaliel was like, Please read in Acts 5:34-42 (KJV) Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
What ever else this man was, he was bold, he had nerve to stand in defense of Peter and his group, and you can also see his bravery and his zeal that is also reflected in his student (Saul or Paul), he was not afraid to stand up for what was right and seemed to be in touch with “ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF” you have got to love and respect a man like this.
Now the rest of the story that is in the book of Acts, after his declaration of who he was, and of the works and accounts of what had happened,
Paul says; in
Acts 22:4-15 (KJV)
And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
We also need, times to look back at our conversion, and see how that GOD changed us and how that HE is always ready to empower us, to embolden us to be HIS WITNESS. We should always, our selves, be ready to respond as HE wants us to and HE will never let us down. HE will speak through any of us that will allow HIM to. This is what it means to:
“TO PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE UNTO GOD”. Always be available to GOD to be used of HIM.