November 18, 2020

Acts 9:19a But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So, they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.
This story is very familiar to most of us. Possibly so familiar that we forget the following:
1.Saul was a very religious man prior to his encounter. The religious leaders of his day, looked favorably upon him. BEING RELIGIOUS DOESN’T SAVE.
2.Saul actually thought he had been doing the right thing. INTENTIONS AREN’T GOOD ENOUGH.
3.Saul heard “The Call”. HEB 3:7-8a THEREFORE AS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYS, TODAY, IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS…
4.The text says that the men who were with him, heard the voice also. But it doesn’t tell us if they answered that call. If they didn’t even though they heard it, they’d still be lost. MATT 22:14 MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN.
5.After answering the call, Saul obeyed and went and was baptized. MARK 16:16 WHOEVER BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED, BUT WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE WILL BE CONDEMNED.
Even though most of us haven’t persecuted Christians to the extant that Saul did, we are just as lost as Saul prior to conversion.
And praise God! If we have not only heard Jesus’ call, but actually answered it, we are just as saved as Paul after his conversion.

Aren’t you glad Jesus can use even someone like you, me and Saul?

Marlon Mathre

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.