On The Road Paul Was Sent
Acts 7:54-60, Philippians 3:4-6, Acts 9:1-19, Acts 26:12-18, Galatians 2:20
Scholars believe that Paul was responsible for planting fourteen churches in the span of his ministry. On top of this, he wrote nearly half of the New Testament, performed miracles, and evangelized boldly in the name of Jesus. How did he come to this position? It surely was not of his own doing!
At the beginning of his story, Paul detested Christians. He was a Jewish scholar and leader in the synagogue called a Pharisee. As a defender of the Jewish tradition, Paul took it upon himself to put Christians to death and was even there to approve the killing of the first Christian martyr in Acts 7:54-60. Paul genuinely thought he had it all going for him. In Philippians 3:4-6 Paul describes why he had such confidence in his status and Pharisaical career.
But God had other plans for Paul.
Even when he was not seeking, God met him.
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). On the road to Damascus, Jesus intervened in Paul’s life, appearing to him in a bright light. Only God could change Paul’s heart of stone. Jesus called Paul out of his sin and introduced to him the beauty of a life lived under the flowing waters of God’s grace. After meeting Jesus, Paul was forever changed. In Acts 26:12-18, Paul tells this story from his own perspective. Verses seventeen and eighteen display Christ’s instructions for him to reach those outside of the Jewish faith tradition, better known as Gentiles, with the good news of Christ.
“I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18).
Paul received orders from Christ himself to reach the Gentiles. But why does this matter?
Because the gospel is for all people! Our nature is to disobey God, which means that we all need forgiveness. No matter who you are or where you’re from, your age or social status, all have fallen short of the glory of God. But there is good news for the sinner: Christ paid our debts on that rugged old cross.
Paul was called to spread this message and obediently did so with great fervor. He wanted everyone to experience the life-changing grace that Christ offers to even the greatest sinners.
Has Christ’s grace changed you? It changed Paul and fueled the flame for his ministry. Over the next 30 years of his life, Paul lived incredibly sacrificially and out of a place of gratitude, reverence, and joy in the hope he found in Jesus.
When we are dead in our sins, it is impossible for us to seek God on our own accord. It is only by His merciful grace that we are able to be transformed. Like Paul, God must first change our hearts before we can be sent out. When we are sent, may we go from a place of gratitude for our own salvation and desire to bring Jesus glory.
Has God ever interceded in your life when you were not expecting it? How does his grace impact your life personally on a daily basis? What is one step you can take today to share your hope in Jesus?
