Why would God take someone who helped to persecute his people and turn them into an apostle? I am referring to Saul of Tarsus.  Because God saw all the good that he was going to do.  He saw him as the one who would write a large portion of the bible. He was considered the enemy of Christians. He even participated in the stoning of Stephen. Saul spent many years studying the Jewish law and their ways.  He had been deceived to believe that Jesus was not the Messiah.

In Acts Chapter 9, Saul threatened to slaughter the disciples of the Lord. He went before the high priest and asked for a letter to the synagogues in Damascus. This letter would give him the authority to arrest and return to Jerusalem, bound for punishment.

He was on his was to Damascus, and suddenly a light shined all around him. This light came from heaven. It was so bright that he fell to the earth. Then he heard a voice that said, “Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?”

The story goes on to say that Saul was blind for three days. He didn’t eat or drink. Everything he ever knew about God was about to be radically flipped around. He had to make a decision to stick to the path he was on or to yield to God.

God told Ananias to go to Saul. He questioned God, because he had heard about all that Saul had done to the believers of Jesus. God told him that Saul was a chosen vessel to spread the gospel to the Gentiles.

Acts 9:17-23 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.  18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.  21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?  22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.  23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

God told Ananias that Saul was a chosen vessel to spread the gospel.  What made Saul different from the others who were persecuting the Christians? I believe Saul had a heart for God. He wanted to do God’s will. Many Pharisees and Sadducees were in it for their recognition and personal gain. God chose Saul and he was named Paul.  He carried the message of Jesus to the Gentiles.

He is proof that people often start off a certain way, but God knows how they will end.  He knows if they will surrender to Him and be saved.  He sadly knows if they decide to turn from him and not accept His sacrifice.  This is why we are not to judge anyone, but we are to show everyone the love of God.  Jesus knows how each life will end.

How will you end? I believe the line is being drawn in the sand. No longer is God going to allow people to straddle the fence.  You are either in or you are out. He wants us to be all in for Him.

II Cor 6:1-2 6 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.   2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Today is the day of salvation. It is not a time to be sitting on the fence. God will remove the fence one day and what ever side you are on when he does will determine your destiny. It doesn’t matter where you start this race, it is how you finish.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS.