As rocks fell upon the body of the preacher Stephen, standing close was one holding the coats of the stone throwers. This man agreed with the death sentence of a preacher of God. His name…Saul.

He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees and, if held to the law, blameless. (Philippians 3.5-6) It would be this same Saul, who a little later, would carry documents to Damascus allowing him to put Christians in jail; perhaps to meet the same sentence as Stephen. (Acts 22.4-5)

Sometimes I can’t believe it was this same man who would start speaking to the Christians as one of their own. I am reminded the Christians even had a tough time believing it. (Acts 9.26)

Why would a staunch Pharisee convert to Christianity? How could he leave behind everything he believed behind and live as a Christian? The answer was simple…Jesus.

You remember Saul’s discussion with Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9 and his baptism in Acts 9.18, but do you remember his words in 1 Timothy 1.15? Paul (formerly Saul) calls himself “the chief of sinners?” Paul carried a burden with him because of his past. Even though he carried this burden, he knew that living in the past was not his purpose. His purpose was to continue to run to the race to receive the prize (Philippians 3.12-14).

Paul knew focusing on the past would steer one off the path of righteousness. Jesus had spoken of this in Luke 9.62: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

We need to remember to focus on the prize ahead, not on the events behind. Colossians 3.2 reminds us to, “Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth.” Let us strive, as Paul did, to press forward to the prize of Jesus Christ.

Are you letting your past overtake your present?

Just some thoughts,