Changing The Perception Problem

The Apostle Paul concerning a change in perception about his life after his conversion to Christ wrote this verse:

“And they praised God because of me.” Galatians 1:24

I came across this verse while reading the other day and a question jumped out at me. The question is, “How many people praise God because of me?” So, let me ask you, “How many people praise God because of you?”

I believe the answer to this question can say a lot about you as a disciple of Jesus Christ. When you are a witness for Jesus Christ and people are being saved through your testimony, people will be praising God because of you, when you take time for others and really care for them and their interests not in a superficial way, but sincerely, people will praise God because of you. When you are a servant and are looking for ways to serve others and be a blessing. When you decide to be a giver rather than taker, an eternal investor rather than a consumer, people will praise God because of you. So, what does it take to become that kind of disciple that people praise God because of?

The apostle Paul had an encounter with the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that turned his world upside down. A new perception and a new report begin to out about Paul. The Jewish Christians said of him, “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy” (Galatians 1:23). Then Paul wrote, “And they praised God because of me.”

What are some perceptions people have about you? Do people run when they see you coming? Do people speak well of you? Do people seem to want you around? Do you have close relationships with others? Does anyone depend on you? If you find it difficult answering any of these questions or perhaps you don’t like your answers to these questions, then may be you need a fresh encounter with Jesus Christ like the Apostle Paul. Because a fresh encounter with him and a fresh outpouring of His Spirit is what you need to shake up your world and get you living as a true disciple of Christ. Then in time, you’ll be able to say, “and they praised God because of me.”

Chris Knipp