"THE REACH OF GOD'S LOVE"

Saul Converted


1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”  Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”  7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Ananias Baptizes Saul



10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”  13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in 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 vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles,kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”  17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,b] who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.  19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

Saul Preaches Christ

20 Immediately he preached the Christc] in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”  22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Saul Escapes Death 23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

Saul at Jerusalem

26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

The Church Prospers

31 Then the churchesd] throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Acts 9:1-31 (NKJ)
Do you know someone with a hostile attitude toward God? It probably seems impossible that such a person could ever be saved. But no one is beyond the reach of our loving heavenly Father.  Saul of Tarsus, also known as Paul, is a perfect example. He was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians. In fact, he approved of stoning Stephen to death for his faith in Christ (Acts 8:1). Paul’s hatred for believers derived from his ignorance of grace and sin. According to the law, he was as close to blameless as was humanly possible. Isn’t it hard to imagine a person like this realizing his need for a Savior?

Saul was intent upon ridding the world of Christ-followers. But the Lord had other plans. When blinded by light and confronted with his wrong actions, Saul responded to Jesus, repented, and believed. For the rest of his life, the apostle was committed to spreading the gospel.

Our almighty God can reach anyone. Salvation is possible only when He convicts an individual of his or her sin and the need for redemption. The Lord’s intervening hand, however, does not stop once a person is saved. He continues to reveal areas of sin that need attention. Then He empowers the believer, giving strength and guidance through the sanctification process.

Conviction is usually uncomfortable. Often, we go to church, hoping to be uplifted by the pastor and to leave feeling good. While encouragement, peace, and joy are vital aspects of the Christian life, refinement is also necessary. It is the testimony of Christ’s hand in our life, molding us to be like Him.



BE BLESSED!
 
DAWN