Acts 9- God Calling

Acts 9 is the story of Saul's conversion to Paul. It is a phenomenal story that shows how God works. Saul in the story was, "breathing out murderous threats against Lord and his disciples." 

Now before you write Saul off as a religious prude, we need to assess ourselves and see how much like him we actually are. Because we too can be a Saul even after our initial conversion... This is what we do; We constantly stiff-arm Jesus. We like to keep him at a safe distance that makes Him appear to be important to us but when it boils down to it we would rather advance ourselves by our religious actions. Saul was highly esteemed in his religious circles. He was a devout religious man. He, on his own ability, knew the Law and attended the temple and did things that would make others think he is a super godly man.

We do the same thing. We like to attend church. We like to talk about what we read in the bible. We like to go to retreats or worship services and display our christianity. But, the thing we do not want to do is submit. It is one thing to advance our 'faith' by our own religious actions, it is a whole separate thing to humbly come to the feet of Jesus and beg Him to make us look more like Him. That makes us feel stupid, like a petty beggar. It offends our pride. 

Thank God that he mobs us with His ways. Saul on the road to Damascus was overcome by the presence of Jesus. "Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4). Jesus pursues us and overtakes us at times. Let me explain. He does this to us at the time of our conversion. He shows us our sins and humbles us to show our desperate need of a savior. But, he continually does this too. He is sanctifying us so at times He overtakes us and reveals our pride and humbles us at the foot of the Cross. This is for our benefit. It is in those moments that we see Jesus as supremely precious. It is when you are humbled that it doesn't matter how much of the bible you know or if other people think you are some great Christian. All that matters is that Jesus loves you and you have been adopted into the Father's family. Obedience becomes your desire because you love deeply. Humility becomes your reality. You do not presume that God owes you any grace and you certainly would not offend Him by sinning so that grace may abound. You desire to have your entire life come in line with the gospel. Transformation happens. Saul becomes Paul. The greatest persecutor becomes the most passionate missionary. We get vamped from our casual half-hearted following to a relentless pursuit of Jesus and His ways.

So today, I challenge you to pray that God would overtake you. I challenge you to pray for a fresh experience of Jesus that breaks you of your plans and helps you to adopt His. You are on your road to Damascus. You have a plan for how you will accomplish your advancement of your faith through bible study, classes, sermons, etc... but what you really need is to meet Jesus today. You need to be mobbed by his glory and you need to be transformed. Humbling needs to take place and glorification of Jesus needs to be made. Pray that God would ransack you. Then brace yourself.