We all know of the great things the apostle Paul did to further the Gospel after his conversation on the Damascus road. He brought Christianity to the Gentiles and wrote most of the New Testament. But it seems as though before Saul became Paul he was still doing work that furthered the Gospel. Whether he realized it or not.
Stephen had just been stoned to death and Saul was right there to watch it happen. After that Saul embarked on a mission to destroy Christianity. He started by arresting Christians. Even taking them right out of their own homes. Yet, by doing this he was doing something more and didn’t even know it.
Acts 8:3-4 (ESV)
3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
You see as Saul broke up the church in Jerusalem the believers did not run away and leave their faith behind. No, they went into new lands and continued to proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ. What Saul was doing to destroy Christianity. God used to take Christianity further than it had been up until that point.
That is proven by the fact that the chapter goes on to speak about Phillip heading out and bringing new people to faith. And we also see another verse later in Acts that mentions those who were scattered spreading the Gospel.
Acts 11:19 (ESV)
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
Of course, at that time they were still only preaching to other Jews, but God would use Paul to address that later. What is important now is that we realize God can take anything and use it for His good. That, of course, does not make it alright for people to do wrong. But instead should inspire hope in our lives.
That hope should be found in the fact that no matter what God is in control. So whatever the enemy intends as evil our mighty God can turn in to exceedingly great blessing. And because of God’s love for us, He gifted us with scripture to show that not only does He work things for His own good. But that He is able to work all things for the good of those who follow Him.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
I hope you will hold to this understanding. Remember that no matter how bad the situation may seem. God can and will use it for a purpose that is far greater then we may ever be able to understand. Don’t focus on the bad situation, but instead look for how God intends to use it for a purpose. And be the one who fulfills that purpose!
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