Intro: As we continue on in this season of Epiphany—celebrating the manifestation of the Christ—we know human beings are plunged into the dark waters of creation in order to find the cross in the waters of redemption. We are baptized through salvation in the Spirit. God works to recreate each of us in His image: breathing the life of the Spirit into us and guiding us along the path toward divine wisdom. As we seek and encounter the Light of Christ, we are allowed to know God’s will, spiritually see the perfect righteousness of the Lord, and begin to hear His voice in our spirits in order to learn a new way of living. Believers leave foolish and flesh-driven desires behind. Our assignments begin as we obediently do what the Word and Voice of God instructs. Christ makes us alive to the heavenly realm and beneficiaries of the wholeness only God can bring; we become witnesses to the Truth while still residing in a dark world. This is where Spirit-led believers face the struggle.
Today, in our passage from the Book of Acts, the Apostle Paul has an epiphany of the Christ that knocks him off his high horse! Paul has been living his life in spiritual arrogance and pride; so, God interrupts his journey and calls for change. Paul has not only mistreated the people of faith and propagated a false narrative of the Christ, he has sought to snuff out the life-giving work and direction of the Spirit. The darkness has blinded Paul; Satan has invaded his thoughts. Therefore, God humbles Paul and sets him aside for a bit to gain a new perspective—a heavenly one from the Righteous One. Many new experiences face Paul; the struggle for righteous change.
Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. He is cunning and his works either make us question the full counsel of God, or he lies to us about our identity and power in Christ. He is not bothered by religious rituals; he just does not want us to put our wholehearted trust in God. Never forget, Satan wants you to put on a victim mentality about your life. Christ came to bring a message to your mess through the waters of redemption and give you a new perspective of what victory looks like in His Kingdom. You and I must live in the light of Truth, as well. When we know the Word of God and seek wisdom, we know the Voice of the Savior who speaks Truth and are instructed how to apply it. Christians live in the light by rejecting the work of darkness. Run from sin, by running toward righteousness. Now is the time!
Acts 22:2-16 NLT
2 When they heard him speaking in their own language [Hebrew/Aramaic], the silence was even greater.
3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. 4 And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene [from Nazareth], the one you are persecuting.’ 9 The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.
10 “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’
“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’
11 “I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions. 12 A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus. 13 He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!
14 “Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. 15 For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. 16 What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this word, today. The mercy you extended to Paul is the mercy we all need; thank you for waking us up with a call to righteousness. Give us eyes to see the Truth, so we will not be spiritually blind. Help us to walk in the glorious Light of Jesus, so we will not waste a precious second of our time here on earth to make a difference for You and Your eternal Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.