https://www2.cbn.com/news/world/2-teenage-students-arrested-plotting-shoot-all-christians-class

Lord, save these two boys!

From one of the many books in the Bible, Paul says: “And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.” – Acts 22:4

The same Paul that persecuted Christians said this in Romans 5:8:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

So, while Paul was busy sinning and persecuting Christians, God was busy providing for Paul’s salvation!

When Paul met Jesus as he was going to persecute more Christians, here is what Jesus said to Paul and some context:

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I AM JESUS WHOM THOU PERSECUTEST: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” – Acts 9:3‭-‬5

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” – Jesus Matthew 5:10‭-‬12‭, ‬43‭-‬48

Notice what the first Christian martyr said as he was dying in Acts 7:59,60:

“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” – Acts 7:59‭-‬60

But notice who was approving of his stoning in the prior verse:

“…and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.” – Acts 7:58

Saul is Paul. His name is changed later from Saul to Paul! God answered Stephen’s prayer and look at Paul and what God did thru Him!

Saul/Paul suffered a lot of persecution, so no worries, he got his turn too….lol.

“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 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 9:10‭-‬16

God bless 🙌