Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man …
Summary: The change in Paul that occurred on the road to Damascus is not all that different than what we commonly call a “wake up call.”
How does a person go from seeing himself as a virtuous defender of “All That Is Right” one day, and the next, find themselves believing that their whole life has been a horrible mistake?
When Paul left Jerusalem on that fateful trip to Damascus, he didn’t leave as a “blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man.” Instead of a blasphemer, he was a defender of God’s Law and honor. Instead of a persecutor, he was a prosecutor arguing God’s case. And violence? Absolutely not! What those people got, they deserved. That was justice!
Paul (aka Saul) left Jerusalem full of self-righteousness. Before he arrived where he was going, his world and everyone else’s would be changed forever.
Three days’ travel from Damascus, about halfway there from Jerusalem, Jesus appeared to Paul.
Imagine you have been called into the boss’s office just after finishing up a big project. You have been doing a stellar job, and everyone you know has been patting you on the back. The talk at the water cooler is that you are in line for a promotion and a big raise.
When you walk in through the boss’s door, your smile evaporates. Sitting in the room around the conference table are the HR director and three people from your team, whom you had to “lean on” a little bit to get them to finish their work on time.
Suddenly, there is a ringing in your ears, a knot in your stomach, and a tiny drop of sweat is forming over your right eyebrow.
When you walk out of the office thirty minutes later, any dreams of promotion are gone. At this point, if you keep your job at all, it will be a miracle. Nothing went right. Even the specifications for the job had been misunderstood. All your work was for nothing … worse, it wasted time and money and put the company in legal jeopardy.
It is funny how thirty minutes can change everything you thought you knew.
Paul’s encounter with Jesus might have been thirty minutes or three minutes; we don’t know. What we do know is that his entire world was redefined in a single blast of light.
Application: Humility before God is always a wise choice.
Food for Thought: What can we learn from Paul about making the right choices in what we believe and do?
What can we learn from Paul about making the right choices in what we believe and do?
This is one of these questions that took me down many rabbit holes. I appreciate the reflective nature of it. Here is where I landed:
We can never assume to know the Will of God in our own human understanding. Assuming to know the Will of God often means molding Scripture to justify our agenda, or relying on past experience. Acting in true faith is never blind; it is done in assurance. That requires prayer, mediation, seeking God’s Will. But to know God’s Will is to know Christ, and allow Him to guide our beliefs, decisions, and actions through His Word and the Holy Spirit. God is living and dynamic, so we are to walk in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for chasing the bunny! 🙂
And yes, I agree with you. Seeking God’s will is the right place to start.
What can we learn from Paul about making the right choices in what we believe and do?
Many daily decisions, choices are made quickly, without really thinking about them. What wear, what to eat, when to eat and on they go. However we exercise wisdom as we seek Gods counsel as we consider options and major, possibly life changing options for our lives and the effect our actions will have on others.
Matthew 6:33, Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Thank you, Ron!
I appreciate being pointed to seeking God’s wisdom!