The account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, whom we know now as Paul the Apostle, is one of the greatest conversion stories and testimonies known to man. We first see this individual as a young zealous man, eager to destroy a fast-growing religious group called “The Christians” or “Jesus Followers.” Young Saul was no idiot. He was well-versed in the Law, studied at the feet of Gamaliel, was a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as to the Law, was a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5). He went from one who held the coats of those who stoned the believers to dining in the households of those he made widows and widowers. What caused Saul of Tarsus to change his life, motives, desires and goals in such a drastic way?
We really could give a short answer and simply quote Philippians 3:8 which says, “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” I like how the King James version translates it: “…and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Let us consider Paul’s conversion by first examining the change that took place within Saul and secondly look at what exactly it was that Saul gave up.
1.) The Changes—The changes that take place with Saul of Tarsus are very interesting. Almost immediately we see these changes after his interaction with Jesus the Christ on the road to Damascus. From his conversation to Jesus on the road, to his final letters, he demonstrated changes throughout his life:
- His Spiritual State Changed, from Lost to Saved (Acts 9:10-19; 22:12-16; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 Tim.1:15).
- His Goals and Focus Changed, from Destroying to Building Up the Church (Acts 8:1, 3; 9:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:9; Eph. 1:15-23; Phil. 1:3-5; 1 Thes. 1:2-3).
- His Speech Changed, from Blasphemer to Proclaimer of the Gospel (Acts 7:58; 1 Tim. 1:12-16).
- His Loyalty Changed from the Flesh to Christ (1 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 14:5-9).
- His Name Changed, from Saul to Paul (Acts 13:9).
2.) The Sacrifices—The changes that took place in Paul were just as extreme as the sacrifices he made for Christ. He records these for us throughout his epistles and they are even examples for those who have a desire to follow Christ Jesus:
- He Gave Up Station and Status (Gal. 1:13-14; Phil. 3:4-8).
- He Gave Up Possession and Power (Acts 20:33-35; 1 Cor. 9:1-18; 2 Cor. 11:7-9).
- He Gave Up Physical Comforts and Rights (Acts 20:22- 24; 1 Cor. 7:8; 9:19-27; 2 Cor. 11:23-27; Phil. 4:11-12).
- He Gave Up His Own Will and Agenda (Acts 9:1-19; 20:24; Rom. 12:1-2; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:7-14).
- He Gave Up Friends and Relationships (2 Cor. 7:5-6; 2 Tim. 4:9-16; Phil. 2:19-30)
What would make a man do all of these things? How could one go from persecuting with such zeal to being persecuted with such zeal? Paul would say to the church at Corinth, “Imitate me as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor.11:1). What did Christ do? What was it that Paul “knew” about Christ that had such value? Philippians 2:5-8 says. “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” What types of things will you have to change and sacrifice? Is your view of knowing Christ just as valuable to you as it was with Paul? Will you count all things as dung that you may win Christ?
-Anthony Scherffius