May 6, 2019
Acts 9:20-31 Contemporary English Version
Has Jesus turned your whole life upside down with the Truth of God’s love? No matter whose life is touched, anyone who has an encounter with Jesus is forever changed; never to see things quite the same again. In an instant we know the Truth about our hearts, our need for salvation, and the Truth about God’s gracious and forgiving love. We see that so clearly not only in our lives and the lives of other followers of Christ, but in all the biblical accounts of people meeting Messiah. The Apostle Paul experienced a 180 degree shift in his life after meeting Jesus on the Road to Damascus. He went from persecuting the disciples of Christ to preaching Jesus as the Messiah; God stopped him in his tracks and gave him a clearer vision of His heart. In that moment, Saul experienced the Truth, but he also experienced the grace and forgiveness of God. The Truth made Saul a new man with a fresh and accurate vision.
Because of this change in Saul, he finds himself being hated by his own peers. Have you had to leave some people behind to follow Christ? Before meeting Christ, Saul had no problem hating and persecuting Christians, but now he has met the risen Messiah and finds himself compassionate for the disciples and passionate for the Gospel. If you read the New Testament letters, you will discover the Lord never wasted Paul’s background or training. Instead, the Lord turned it to benefit the Kingdom and the work of Christ in ministering the gospel to the Gentiles. God will not waste your past successes nor failures; instead he will use it for the salvation of the world if you will allow it. Your life story can always lead others to Christ. Give the Lord your whole life and see what the Spirit can do with it.