He got involved with anti-Christian extremists who beat up Christians and sometimes killed them. He enjoyed this because he hated Christians and felt he was superior to them.
One time a group of angry men handed him their outer garments so they could brutally kill a man for sharing the gospel. By watching their garments, he showed his approval, making him an accessory to this innocent man's death (Acts 6:8-7:60).
Then God spoke to him and he accepted Christ.
But how could he get over his past?
He explained this problem:
“I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Corinthians 15:9).
And he explained the solution:
“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
Just like the apostle Paul, there's nothing in your past that can keep you from loving and serving the Lord fully if you face it honestly, repent, and “press on.”
To understand the beauty of true repentance and God's forgiveness, read the one-minute devotion Why Being Crushed Is a Good Thing.
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