Then Agrippa said to Paul, “do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “short time-or long-I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:28-29, NIV)

Paul was an unlikely believer and has a dramatic “come to Jesus” story that he shared wherever he went.  Paul was an extremely well-educated Jew who was definitely not fond of Christians.  As a matter of fact, he punished and often killed them for their Jesus-following beliefs. Most of us are very familiar with his dramatic Damascus Road conversion experience (Acts 9). Paul then went from being a “super Jew” to not very well liked at all by his peers. His new belief in Jesus got him in trouble time and time again. Paul was beaten, put in prison, put in chains, etc. and never complained about his discomfort and harsh treatment. Instead, he used it as a platform to lift Jesus higher and share his story.  

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Plus, Paul was a Roman citizen and should not have been imprisoned in the first place. Acts 25:16-22 tells us that Paul should have had a fair trial before being imprisoned.  He could have used that maltreatment to get special treatment, but he didn’t.

Have you ever been so passionate about something that you couldn’t shut up about it or pass up an opportunity to share, even if it got you a side-eye stare from someone or got you into trouble?  I’m a bit of a chicken myself and not a risk taker, so I am blown away by Paul’s boldness.  I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t say much about Jesus, or anything for that matter, if I knew a beating was coming, let alone imprisonment.  I often say I would not do well in prison.

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But Paul used every opportunity to share the gospel, even when defending himself before kings, governors, and magistrates. He never missed an opportunity to tell what Christ had done for him. Paul calls himself “chief of sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). He knew exactly what Jesus had saved him from, so he could not keep quiet.

Dear Lord, give me the boldness of Paul to share the good news wherever I go, even if it means a negative outcome or physical harm. Help me to care more about You and what You think than what others think.  May I not pass up any opportunity to share about Jesus and the truth of the Gospel, even if it is uncomfortable.  Thank you for the dramatic story of Paul and how you changed him. If Paul can get a do-over, then there is surely hope for us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.