Acts 8:3
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Zealous
to maintain the status quo of the Jewish traditions, Saul leads violent
assaults on those converted to "The Way", the appellation used by early
Christians to describe their religion. He is a cold, unfeeling witness
to the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He instigates
the fervent charge to round up and unmercifully imprison those he
considers heretics. Later, in Acts 9:1-2, Saul, "still breathing
threats and murder against the disciples", decides that persecuting them
in Jerusalem just isn't enough. He petitions the High Priest for
permission to travel to the synagogues in Damascus to warn them of this
misguided, dangerous movement, and, while on his journey, capturing and
sending back to Jerusalem any claiming to follow The Way. No one, least
of all Saul, could have predicted the radical, miraculous
transformation about to transpire in him along that fateful road when,
in a flash of light that leaves him blinded, the Risen Christ confronts,
convicts, and converts him.
I find it decidedly ironic that Paul
(the Greek version of his name which he uses among the Gentiles), the
most ardent, obsessive defender of the Jewish faith became the most
passionate, devoted champion of Christianity. His conversion testifies
to the fact that, with God, all things are possible. I believe the Lord
saw through Paul's malevolent behaviors toward His people and
recognized the qualities that would make Paul an indispensable apostle:
determination, zeal, dedication, knowledge of the law, and devotion to
the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He simply needed his vision
corrected. Jesus made that happen in a mighty way!
Have you ever
known someone who experienced a dramatic conversion like Paul's? Was
your own conversion one of out-of-the-blue magnitude, or was it, like C.
S. Lewis', a quiet conviction within your soul? Is there a friend or
acquaintance in your life for whom you wish there was a Damascus Road?
Love them, pray for them, and witness through example. Believe that God
can and will meet them at their crossroads; be prepared to take their
hand and help show them The Way.
Sadly, there are a few people I know whom I wish would fall off their high horses on their way to Damascus.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, Martha.
Thanks so much, Victor, for your support. And yes, sadly, there are too many who think they know it all, so let's pray for them and love them anyway.
DeleteI accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord at the age of 6, so my testimony isn't as dramatic as that of the Apostle Paul. The story of his conversion has encouraged me in recent years to believe that God can (and does) change the most hardened of personalities into God-fearing and God-devoted people. I pray I get to see the dramatic change in these people before my earthly life ends.
ReplyDeleteWell-written post, Martha!
I regret not knowing anyone who experienced a dramatic conversion! Personally, mine has been a quieter surety -- strengthened through friends and places such as this. Thank you, Martha!
ReplyDeleteI’ve known one or two people in my past who were dramatically converted whom no one would have ever believed could be. I pray for people I know who are charging down the wrong path and want to see each of them stopped as Paul was, with a saving moment. I’m still believing it can and will happen.
ReplyDeleteSaul brings hope to those who want to change.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say mine was dramatic but I have always related to Paul because I used to make fun of Christians. I didn't want to be around them. I can say God has radically changed me from an unrepented sinner, from paganism, from all of my sin.
ReplyDeleteAmazing grace, oh, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see