Let
me tell you a story about a young Jewish man named Saul. He was born
in Tarsus of Cilicia, of the tribe of Benjamin, and studied under the
tutelage of Rabbi Gamaliel, a Pharisee and leader of the Sanhedrin
(Jewish Supreme Law Council in Ancient Israel). Saul considered
himself 'zealous' toward GOD, righteous and religious. He persecuted
the early church, the followers of JESUS CHRIST, with unrelenting
intensity. “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,”
Acts 8:3, NIV. He had the backing of the High Priest and the Council
of Elders.
Then, he encountered JESUS. “3 It
happened that while he was travelling to Damascus and
approaching the city, suddenly a light from heaven shone all
round him. 4 He fell to the ground, and then he heard a voice
saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 5 'Who are
you, Lord?' he asked, and the answer came, 'I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting. 6 Get up and go into the city, and you will be
told what you are to do,'” Acts 9:3-6, NJB.
Saul lost his physical eyesight for three days. He neither ate nor
drank during that time, but prayed and waited. The LORD sent a man
named Ananias, a Christian, to pray for him. “17 Then
Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul,
he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the
road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again
and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' 18 Immediately,
something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see
again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and
after taking some food, he regained his strength,” Acts 9:17-19,
NIV.
Now here is the amazing part. “After
he had spent only a few days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 he
began preaching in the synagogues, 'Jesus is the Son of God,'” Acts
9:19-20, NJB. How did that happen?
Conversion happens when we respond to, and accept, JESUS' invitation
for salvation.“12 But to those who did accept him he gave
power to become children of God, to those who believed in
his name 13 who were born not from human stock or human desire
or human will but from God himself,” John
1:12-13, NJB. The power of the HOLY SPIRIT then begins to work within
us from the inside out, bringing a spiritual rebirth. This
regeneration is transformative. We go from being carnally minded to
spiritually minded. “17 Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old
has gone, the new is here!” 2 Cor 5:17, NIV. The process of
sanctification takes place throughout the duration of the life of the
believer, as we take up our cross and follow JESUS, by the power of
the HOLY SPIRIT. This is the story of Saul, who became known as The Apostle
Paul.
GOD
can use anyone! You are never too broken, too sinful or too worthless
in the sight of GOD. If you choose to turn to Him today, accept by
faith JESUS' work on the cross, repent and be baptized, you too, will
be filled by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT and will experience a new
life!
3 For
we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving
various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and
hating one another. 4 But
when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man
appeared, 5 not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His
mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing
of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom
He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our
Savior, 7 that
having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according
to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7, NKJV
Join
us next week as we look at what it means to live in the Spirit.
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