There is a promise that GOD has personally spoken to each one of us. A promise that will bring many of us a level of notoriety. Notice what the LORD said to Abraham.
Notice, it is the LORD that will make your name and your mission stand out among many. But before you can reach such heights. There is always a waiting period. Why? Because there is always a process and a long pruning season you must undergo to ensure your success. So, let’s talk about this waiting period in more detail and see how we can benefit from it. the wait begins Let’s go back to Acts chapter 9. As we recall, Saul, who was a Pharisee, was on his way to the city of Damascus to capture any Christians he could bring back to Jerusalem to jail them for their faith. But as we discussed in my last blog, Why Are You Persecuting Me. His plans were derailed by the LORD, which led to Saul’s encounter with Christ and his conversion to Christianity. As a result of this encounter, it completely changed the trajectory of Saul’s career and lifestyle. He made a name for himselfNow, we have to be mindful that Saul had already made a name for himself by the time he experienced his encounter with Christ. It was said about him at Acts chapter 9, verse 13 by the prophet Ananias.
Saul was well known. He had a certain reputation among the people that made many afraid of him. But this would soon change. For as we know. GOD always works all things out for the good of HIS people and individuals involved. (Compare to Romas 8:28). This leads us to Saul’s encounter with Christ. After Saul met Jesus on the road of Damascus and was suddenly blinded by Jesus’ bright appearance. Saul asked Jesus.
Jesus gave Saul the following instructions.
Saul had to go to a certain city and now wait there until Jesus provided him with his next set of instructions. During those 3 days that Saul sat in the house of Judas on Straight Street, we can say he underwent a complete metamorphosis. Due to the loss of his sight that was caused by Jesus' bright figure, Saul was not able to do anything. And of course, the pure shock of the whole experience left him in complete awe and dumbfounded that he was unable to eat or drink for those 3 days (Acts 9:8-9). This experience certainly left him speechless and force him to reevaluate himself and his mission – his life course. As we have learned through our reading of Acts chapter 9, that 3-day process was the key to Saul changing into a new man. (Compare to 2 Corinthians 5:17). Now, to us, those 3 days do not seem very long. But when you had gone through what Saul experienced, it may seem like a lifetime of torture. It’s like going on a 24-hour fast. For most of us, by the time we reach that first hour, we are already dreading the process. We become irritable and lethargic, and our body begins to show the classic signs that we have gone too long without food. This was no different for Saul. He literally experienced a mental breakdown from his experience. Therefore, this waiting period was going to either break him or forever change him. The LORD said it to the prophet Jeremiah this way.
This process usually, for most of us takes years. But GOD was going to take this process for Saul and accelerate the time. (Compare to Joel 2:25). He was going to root out, tear down, destroy, throw down, build as well as plant into Saul everything he needed to change his course of actions and become the vessel (instrument) GOD needed to bear HIS name to the Gentile nation, all the kings of the earth, and to the nation of Israel. Saul’s reputation was about to be flipped. His name was about to not only be made great for the LORD. But he was going to receive a new name and a new identity for Christ. As a result, of this metamorphosis, he was about to suffer many things for the LORD due to this greater name he was about to be established in and carry.
0 Comments
This is the same lucrative question Jesus Christ is asking many today, who call themselves Christians but they are persecuting their brother and sister in the faith by their words and deeds. It is important today, because of the time and season we are in. That we examine this text closely in Acts to get a clear understanding of what is occurring here. For GOD never acts one way or another without providing a fair warning to HIS people first. (Compare to Amos 3:7). “Strange fire” |
1. They don’t agree with the way a brother or sister believes. 2. They take issue with the level of faith a brother or sister has concerning a matter. 3. They simply do not believe a certain brother or sister has truly converted from the lifestyle they once lived due to the type of sin they once were engaging in and were resurrected from. |
There are many, far too many Sauls in the Body of Christ today that will have to answer for their ignorance, arrogance, and insensitivity to the strong faith of others. But before getting in too deep with this talking point today, let’s go back to Acts chapter 9, and start reading at verse 3.
We see as Saul traveled to Damascus with his caravan on his quest to catch Christians. When he was almost there, his journey was interpreted in the most unusual way. First, an extremely bright light stood in front of him, blocking his path to Damascus. Verse 3 says,
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. |
GOD DOES NOT COME TO THE AID OF ALL CHRISTIANS. But when HE does, it is for HIS remanent. |
This is no different from today. There are Christians, who want to snuff out other Christians utilizing their social media platforms for the sake of gaining more fans, likes, subscribers, and followers. Like Cain, they want to murder their brothers and sisters in the faith by means of their words, deeds, and an insulting statement like ‘strange fire.’
But Christians who really belong to the LORD do not have to fret about any kind of persecution that comes at the hands of these Sauls in the Body of Christ. Because, like the situation at Acts 9:3-4, Christ will suddenly show up like a bright light to impede the path of these self-righteous Christians who think they have all the answers, intelligent, and Christ-like wisdom but they are really persecuting GOD’s righteous remanent.
why are you persecuting me
Confused by Jesus’ presence and inquiry, Saul responds, ‘who are you, LORD?’ Even though Saul did not know who Christ was at this point and time in his life. He still was able to sense and acknowledge the authority Jesus carried. Hence, why he greeted Jesus with the salutation – Lord.
In response to Saul’s question. Jesus says to him. “I am Kyrios” (or Lord), the one who has the power and authority to decide your fate if you continue this path. For He is the sovereign Lord, the Alpha, and Omega, the Prince above all princes, the chief over all mankind. Our Messiah. Then Jesus makes this interesting statement to Saul.
It is hard for you to kick against the goads (NKJV). |
In the case of Saul, his life was spared. But for the remainder of his days, he had to live with the consequences of his bad decisions – actions and words he personally spoke against his brothers and sisters in the faith. I can only assume the nightmares that kept Paul up late at night. Knowing the blood he had on his hands despite he was forgiven by Christ.
What about us today? On the day that Christ comes to interrupt our ongoing insult of righteous men and women of GOD, will we be like Paul and relent, repent, and make our wrongs right? Or will we be so caught up in our own pride and self-righteous belief system, and continue our unrighteous path against our brothers and sisters in the faith? Causing us to inherit a death sentence for our penalty by Christ’s righteous sword. For GOD’s remnants are precious in His eyes (Zechariah 2:8). Therefore, He will not ever allow you to take them out by your words or deeds.
Case in point. Let’s take the life of Apostle Paul. As we know, Paul, once went by the name Saul, prior to his religious conversion. Under that name, he did many evil things. Ananias, a disciple of Christ, put it this way. “… I have heard from many about this man, how much harm (evil) he has done to your saints” (Acts 9:13).
Paul even described his former self this way. “I persecuted the church of GOD beyond measure and tried to destroy it. … Saints I shut up in prison by the authority of the chief priests, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them” (Galatians 1:13; Acts 26:9-10).
Paul, when he was known as Saul, was one the main leaders who were responsible for one of the greatest persecution the church has experienced. He led the persecution against the church by invading their sanctuaries, entering Christians’ private homes, throwing Christians into prison, and being a part of the death of countless Christians. (Compare to Acts 8:1, 3; 9:1-2; 22:4; 26:10). Paul, as Saul, was a great man to be feared, and rightfully so.
Paul’s Background
Saul was a part of the Pharisee class. They were the largest and most influential religious group in the New Testament. They were antagonists (opponents) against Jesus and his disciples. They were known for their separatist behavior. [They separated themselves from all other groups (both social and religious). Especially from the common people because they saw them as religiously unclean.]
So, Saul was part of this group of men. As a result, he adopted many prejudiced views this class of men had. It was the Pharisees’ unhealthy belief systems that Saul held onto, that drove him to become one of the church’s greatest and formative persecutors.
Now, this was who Paul was prior to his conversion to Christianity. As Saul, he was a man full of prejudices, hatred, anger, ignorance, and undisciplined principles because, at that time, he was holding onto an erroneous belief system. But, Paul, whom the church has come to know and love today, is a very different person from the man Saul.
Paul’s conversion
SIDEBAR: Let me say this. Repeating the savior's prayer is completely different from a life altering conversion. Personally, I am not against saying the savior’s prayer. But, this prayer means nothing if a real conversion in a person’s life does not take place. The savior’s prayer is just a stepping stone for an individual to be discipled. It is the actual discipleship of people that often leads to true repentance and a real conversion (a life alternating lifestyle). |
Now, I am not going to go into details about Paul’s conversion. You can read it for yourself at Acts chapter 9, verses 1 through 9. What I want to focus on are two things.
1.Paul’s unique encounter with Christ that caused some to think he was crazy. 2.How Ananias responded to Paul’s conversion. |
As we see in verses 4 through 6 of Acts chapter 9, there is this back and forth dialogue going on between Saul and Jesus. As this is going on, the men that were traveling with Saul were observing this “strange” behavior by him. For these men did not see Jesus nor could hear the things that Jesus was saying to Saul. So, you can only imagine what these men may have thought. Like, what in the world is going on here? Is Saul losing his mind? Why did all of this occur and what triggered Saul to behave this way? One minute, they are traveling on the road to Damascus. And then, out of nowhere, Saul flips on them. For no apparent reason, he was acting strange and crazy from their point of view.
You see, what these men were observing concerning Saul was weird. Some elite and insensitive leaders today would call Saul’s behavior “strange fire.” (I won’t go there today). To the men who were with Saul, his behavior appeared strange to them because they (1) did not understand what was happening to Saul. (2) And because they could not see nor hear who or what Saul was seeing and talking to. Therefore, they all probably at this point, labeled Paul as crazy. He has lost it – having a psychotic episode or some kind of demonic attack.
Kind of like what some Christians do towards their brothers and sisters in the faith when they cannot relate to or if they have not experienced the same or similar encounter with Christ as some have in the faith. Often time, some Christians try to rebuff an individual’s experience or encounter with Christ as some form of witchcraft, some “strange” event, a senseless emotional outburst, or some demonic experience. Some believers would prefer giving more credit to the devil and his power to influence GOD’s people. Then believe in the indefinite power and abilities of an all-knowing, all-powerful, supreme GOD, who can do all things and therefore anything – even today. Like these men who were traveling with Saul, many in the church today, cannot and will not believe nor accept that people are having unique encounters with Christ that are forever changing their lives.
ananiS's response to paul’s conversion
Ananias was a well-known and respected disciple of Christ. After Paul’s conversion, GOD approached Ananias and gave him these specific instructions.
Arise and go to the street called Straight… and …inquire of Saul. Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine…. (Acts 9:11, 15) |
But the vision the LORD gave Ananias concerning Paul’s conversion made it clear to him that this was indeed the LORD. Therefore, despite his reservation and the fear he might have felt, Ananias went to
Saul and laid his hands on him so that he may recover his sight and be filled with Holy Spirit.
Ananias' responses to Paul clearly show us that he accepted Paul’s conversion as legitimate. He did not question, nor doubt what the LORD had done for Saul in converting him into a new man. (Compare to 2 Corinthians 5:17). In fact, when Ananias greeted Paul for the first time, he said to him, “… Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18).
First, Ananias acknowledged and accepted Paul’s conversion, and then greeted Saul as his brother. Once Ananias heard from the LORD concerning Saul. He did not need any man of the faith to vet whether Paul’s conversion was legit. He did not need man’s approval concerning Paul. A word from the LORD was all he need to receive Paul as his brother.
Secondly, Ananias confirmed Paul’s conversion by restating the encounter Saul had with Christ along the road. Although Ananias was not there, the LORD revealed to Ananias how Paul’s conversion happened. So, when Ananias met Saul, he said to him.
“… The Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you come.” |
my personal encounter
But I will say this. Like Paul, my two encounters with Christ that led to my conversion are unique to me. Like Paul, my encounters with Christ were personal, life-like, and convincing – that they convinced me to make a 180 turn from the way I was living. Like Paul, I was on the sure path to hell. I was choosing a one-way ticket to hell because of my own ignorance. Even Paul admitted this about himself when he was Saul. He said, “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent (violent, arrogant) man, but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13). Saul was severely persecuting his Jewish brothers and sisters out of his own ignorance.
What about us today? Like Saul, some of us are persecuting our brothers and sisters in the faith because we cannot accept or relate to their personal encounters with Christ. We are dismissing the faith and experiences of some of our brothers and sisters because we personally don’t understand or agree with how GOD speaks or moves in and through them because it is not our own personal experience with GOD.
Like mine, Paul’s encounter with Christ had to be unique to him so that GOD could get his attention. His encounter could not have been done any other way. Otherwise, it would have had no effect on Saul. And he would not have become Paul – an apostle of Christ.
This was no different for me. My encounters with Christ had to be unique for me in order for Christ to get my attention. If it was done in any other way, Dede would have never become the Deaidre I am today. I am certainly not the same person I once was.
Paul certainly is not the same man he once was. And I strongly believe it is safe to say, it is because of his personal encounter he had with Christ on the way to Damascus.
Individual encounters with Christ need to be different for each individual so that we all can experience a true conversion of our faith. Otherwise, it would be of no effect.
Author
Thought-provoking Biblical topics. Talking Points with Deaidre.
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you] (Romans 12:2 AMP).
Archives
October 2024
September 2024
April 2024
March 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022