Changed By the Light

In Acts 9:1-31 We read about the conversion of Saul. Saul was "very angry" with the Lord's disciples. Some translations say that he was having "murderous thoughts". 

 

This man asked permission from the High Priest to travel to Damascus to speak to the Jewish communities there. Saul was worried that the Christian heresy might spread there as there was a large Jewish community in Damascus.

Saul, on the road to Damascus, experienced a bright burning light which left him blind.  Scripture says that no one can see the Living God and so Saul is blinded by the light emanating from Jesus. He then encounters Jesus who turns his life upside down.

Saul is taken to Damascus and there he encounters a disciple called Ananias who instructs Saul in the faith, and baptizes him. From then on Saul gives his life to follow Jesus and making Jesus known. As a sign of his conversion he changes his name to Paul. As a result of his radical commitment to following Jesus.

Paul talked about the message of God made known in Jesus. This was good news to the poor, release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed. Paul shared the message that all people are equal. All people can have a relationship with God. Gentiles do not need to become Jews before they can know God. Paul talked about God's self-giving love. No one needs to worship idols and give money to idols to have blessings in life. Idols found in the temples do not have power. It is only God who has the power, and this power is freely given to all. Even the Roman emperor's power was not absolute. It is God who has the power to new life out of what was dead. 

Paul's call, as described in Acts, was to bring the message of Jesus to all people, not just to the Jews so that they could live in the light. Paul's conversion was linked with his call to be a servant and a witness. He challenged the world-view of others because he would not be quiet. Conversion for Paul was not so much about his personal salvation, important though that was, as it was about his call to welcome all people into Christian community. Paul believed that he was sent to the Gentiles, "so that they may turn from darkness to light." For the pagan Gentiles, the darkness was their enslavement to the rules of idol-worship, to spirituality which was, no doubt, warm and fluffy, but which did not fulfill them. The light was their freedom found in God's unconditional love for them.

Paul's message about God threatened the world-view of many. As a result Paul suffered persecution. The Christian message continues to challenge those who seek absolute power through politics and financial endeavors.  To be converted means to be changed, to be turned around. Paul was turned around from being one who persecuted Christians, to becoming the main architect of the Christian mission to the gentiles.

As we consider the importance of Paul's conversion, we see the link between his relationship with God and his call. Conversion need not be understood in narrow terms. Conversion is about growing in knowledge of God's love for us and all people, and that is an on-going experience---even for those who have had mountain top moments. So, maybe the word "conversion" isn't so scary after all. Growing in knowledge of God's love, as we experience here in community, leads to a call. We, like Paul, are called to share what we know of God. We too are called to welcome all. In this way, we continue Paul's ministry.  

~Author Unknown

Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from the dead, I shall be saved. Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life with Satan and close the door to any of his devices.  I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away; now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.