And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:3-6)
Jesus also had plans for Saul as a great missionary and the Apostle to the Gentiles. This man who so fervently persecuted Christians would take the Gospel fervently everywhere that God sent him. Paul had to be broken and repent first in order to be useful, but once he surrendered to God on God’s terms and understood the Messiah so he could trust in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary in repentance and faith, Saul would be a useful and chosen vessel in the work of the Lord.
God’s people are chosen to bear His Name as we go, to speak the Scriptures we stand on with authority and conviction, and to live the Gospel we preach, not just on Sunday, but every day as we live in Christ the life that is truly life. He calls us to repentance toward Him in whatever is not as He would have it to be. He wants us receptive to His Word and His Spirit as we grow in Him and serve Him and do His will. He wants us ready for that which He calls us to do, where He sends us to go, and what He wants us to say, equipped, encouraged, and enabled, so we can engage people to enjoy Jesus Christ.
God calls all His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet