I want to highlight one more way that God transformed Paul’s heart and mind: by changing his environment. After unlearning old beliefs and working on himself, Paul needed to distance himself from the Pharisees’ ways and surround himself with believers. This environmental change was crucial for his transformation.

When I first became a believer, one of the best things my parents did was help me connect with a good church. As a 15-year-old participating in Oneighty Youth, I got to experience what it was like for a teenager to share their faith, to avoid cursing, drinking, and fighting all the time. I saw what it meant for a teenager to live a holy life, to dedicate themselves to God, and to be a loving person. I modeled my behavior after them, realizing how much our surroundings influence us.

Friend, remember that your future is influenced by your friends. Think about it: if you like your friends and aspire to be like them, then stick with them. However, if you don’t want to be like them, it’s time to find new friends. You may not be able to choose your family, but you can definitely choose your friends. The book of Hebrews encourages us to inspire one another toward love and good deeds. How can we do this? By gathering together! This is why we come together in fellowship. Just as iron sharpens iron, one person sharpens another. If I were iron needing to be sharpened, I wouldn’t find it very comfortable, would you? Jesus wants us to surround ourselves with people who help us grow. Amen?