I've been typing up another blog post to share more about our upcoming move to Cambodia, but it's not quite finished yet. I've been working through the book of Acts during my private time and today I just feel like reflecting on something out loud. (Can we count this as out loud since I'm putting it out there for all of you? Kind of like you were the one that happened to be sitting nearby while I was reading and I couldn't help but look up from the pages to tell you what I'm thinking.)
We're in Acts 9. To set it up a little, here's the surrounding info. In Acts 7, Stephen became the first martyr. He speaks in front of the Jewish high council. Now, this is not just an ordinary moment of answering questions. In our modern vernacular, you might say Stephen had the mic drop of all mic drops. This isn't really the focus of my sharing here, but in case you can't tell, I love Acts 7. Stephen lays out the entire history of the Jewish nation. I can't even describe it well enough to show it's magnitude. You just need to read it. Even if you've read it multiple times, my friend, go back and read it again.
Anyway, Stephen ends with, "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As you fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by the angels and did not keep it." (you see what I mean about a mic drop?? That stings, doesn't it?) So, of course the high council was furious after these words. They cast him out of the city and stoned him.
(I won't ruin the ending of the chapter for you. It's so good - it stings, it inspires - just read it!)
Now, Acts 8 begins with, "And Saul approved of his execution."
The stoning of Stephen is our introduction to Saul. Next, we are told of him ravaging the church and committing Christians to prison. Then the chapter moves on to Philip.
We come back to Saul in Acts 9. He gets permission to go to Damascus to round up all those "belonging to the Way". On the road to Damascus, Jesus blinds him and speaks to him. That part of the story is talked about a lot. Most Christians have heard that story at least once and many have heard it countless times. It's a great story of how God made a sudden complete change in one man's life.
So, if this is such a common story, why am I typing an entire blog about it? Well, I'm going to what came after Saul was blinded. Jesus told him to enter the city and he'd be told what to do. At the same time, God speaks to a disciple named Ananias. God tells him to go to a specific house and there he'll find a man named Saul. God tells Ananias that he is to lay his hands on Saul so that Saul will regain his sight. Ananias' response is what I'm really trying to talk about today. Here's the ESV translation:
Sure enough, in the very next sentence Ananias departs his house, goes to Saul, and lays his hands on him. Saul's sight is restored and the Holy Spirit enters him. Saul begins to proclaim Jesus. He's able to join the disciples in Jerusalem in a short time, moving "in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord." And then he goes on to become the Paul that we all know so well.
We're in Acts 9. To set it up a little, here's the surrounding info. In Acts 7, Stephen became the first martyr. He speaks in front of the Jewish high council. Now, this is not just an ordinary moment of answering questions. In our modern vernacular, you might say Stephen had the mic drop of all mic drops. This isn't really the focus of my sharing here, but in case you can't tell, I love Acts 7. Stephen lays out the entire history of the Jewish nation. I can't even describe it well enough to show it's magnitude. You just need to read it. Even if you've read it multiple times, my friend, go back and read it again.
Anyway, Stephen ends with, "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As you fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by the angels and did not keep it." (you see what I mean about a mic drop?? That stings, doesn't it?) So, of course the high council was furious after these words. They cast him out of the city and stoned him.
(I won't ruin the ending of the chapter for you. It's so good - it stings, it inspires - just read it!)
Now, Acts 8 begins with, "And Saul approved of his execution."
The stoning of Stephen is our introduction to Saul. Next, we are told of him ravaging the church and committing Christians to prison. Then the chapter moves on to Philip.
We come back to Saul in Acts 9. He gets permission to go to Damascus to round up all those "belonging to the Way". On the road to Damascus, Jesus blinds him and speaks to him. That part of the story is talked about a lot. Most Christians have heard that story at least once and many have heard it countless times. It's a great story of how God made a sudden complete change in one man's life.
So, if this is such a common story, why am I typing an entire blog about it? Well, I'm going to what came after Saul was blinded. Jesus told him to enter the city and he'd be told what to do. At the same time, God speaks to a disciple named Ananias. God tells him to go to a specific house and there he'll find a man named Saul. God tells Ananias that he is to lay his hands on Saul so that Saul will regain his sight. Ananias' response is what I'm really trying to talk about today. Here's the ESV translation:
Sure enough, in the very next sentence Ananias departs his house, goes to Saul, and lays his hands on him. Saul's sight is restored and the Holy Spirit enters him. Saul begins to proclaim Jesus. He's able to join the disciples in Jerusalem in a short time, moving "in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord." And then he goes on to become the Paul that we all know so well.
That is obedience! Imagine in today's church how Ananias' story would have probably played out. Are we in tune enough with the Lord to hear him telling us that we're going to lay hands on a certain person? Or pray for a specific person? Or go to a specific place? Or accept that someone who has offended or persecuted us so extremely is now changed and will be used by God?
Even if we hear the Spirit, are we obedient enough to assist this great offender? Think about it. Ananias had already heard all the rumors about who Saul is and what he had been doing against Ananias' own people. He does share this concern with the Lord, but as soon as God gives his response, Ananias is obedient.
For me, this portion of the story spoke in a couple of ways today.
1) Be obedient to the Lord. His direction may not seem logical. It may not make any sense at all to my mind. It might be completely contrary to what I want to do. But God's ways are higher than mine and He is good. I just have to obey.
2) Never forget that people can change - maybe not on their own, but by the grace of God. So often I hear people in the church say things like, "once a cheater, always a cheater" or "once an addict, always an addict", etc. While it may be common for people to struggle with the same issue for a long time, or even their whole life, that doesn't mean it has to be that way. When we assume that people can't change, we are limiting God. He is the same God that changed Saul to Paul and I personally know many people that have been set free from all sorts of sins and never looked back. God is in the business of changing lives.
3) Do not hold people's past against them. When God changes someone's heart, we should rejoice and welcome their testimony. I think this one is simple enough to not need further explanation.
4) When Christ has set you free from your sins, do not be enslaved to shame or regret. Move on in your new freedom in Christ. Your past lifestyle is what it is, but it is not who you are. It is the word of our testimony that gives witness to the power of God. God's work in your life cannot be disputed by anyone. You alone have lived it and you alone can share that story with others. Do not let shame or regret keep you quiet. Boldly proclaim Christ any time you get a chance. And when someone judges you, don't let it break you. Just pray for God to work on them in that area and move on in your freedom in Christ.
I know this is long, but it just poured out today. I hope you found it useful. If not, thanks for letting me process it for myself. :)
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