Volume 47        Number 9                                                                   May 2005

The message of the Bible is YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW. ‘Saul and Paul’ are a prime example of this eternal principle. Saul sowed and Paul reaped. “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:15,16)

The confession of Paul in Acts 22:3-5 introduces us to Saul: “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. 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.” (Acts 7:54-59; 8:1-4)

Then we read of Saul’s conversion in Acts 9:1-31, where Paul begins to make up for the acts of Saul. As stated before, Saul caused beatings, Paul received beatings. “And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:” (Acts 16:22,23; 21:30-32.)

“And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.” (Acts 14:19)

We know that a geat deal of the New Testament is written about and by Paul. He has many letters and it is generally accepted that others wrote the letters for him. Paul mentioned his health in some of his letters as being poor. I can see why after going through what he did. I would imagine that his hands where not in good enough shape to write much. He was educated enough to write.

The story of Paul shows the message that the Lord wants us to understand: You reap what you sow. Paul knew this when he wrote: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:7-9)

Put others first and He will put you first. Give mercy and receive mercy. Give love and receive love. Give hate and receive hate. You can’t get a simpler message. The more you study the Bible the simpler the message becomes. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Everything eventually comes home. Different ways to say the same message found in the Bible which is the Word of the Lord. Love the Lord with all your might and He will love you with all of His might and we know His might. Thank the Lord for letting me put His thoughts down on paper in such a manner that somebody may receive a better understanding of His way.