“I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me.” (Galatians 1:11–24)

As we continue through Galatians, we find Paul asserting that the message that he proclaimed, the message that changed him inside and out, was neither made up nor man made. It came directly from Jesus.

I have had a lot of people tell me that God spoke to them. Some of them told me that in the context of trying to justify their own sinful behavior. “I heard God speak and tell me that it was okay for me to move in with my boyfriend because we really love each other.” Or some version of “I know the Bible says ______ is a sin, but God told me that did not apply to me.”  I don’t think that was God they were hearing (2 Corinthians 11:14).

On the other hand, I have had people tell me that they heard God clearly speak to them about following Him, trusting Him, and living for Him, which resulted in those people drastically changing their lives. They became more committed to being the person God wants them to be. What they heard did not contradict God’s Word, but affirmed it. I have no doubt that God was working in their lives and communicating His truth to them.

When God spoke to Paul, it changed him dramatically. He thought he was being a faithful follower of God by persecuting Christians, but God told him otherwise, and the path of his life was profoundly changed. “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” The change was evident and obvious. Some were skeptical at first, and with good reason. But they could not deny that he was changed.

The last phrase of that passage is especially striking:  And they praised God because of me. What kind of world would it be if that statement were true for every follower of Jesus? And they praised God because of me. I’ve been striving to live that way. I know I don’t always do it, but I am trying to follow God’s leading and live that kind of life. I don’t crave accolades or recognition. I want others to see Jesus and praise Him for who He is and what He has done.