Recently I listened as JS told the story of his conversion. He had been a radical terrorist responsible for several bombings in his country, even a few that made international news. Then, through a series of miraculous events, along with the loving witness of a few faithful followers he began reading about the Messiah of the Bible and, eventually, he came to know and follow the Christ.
I listened to him share his story with amazement at the way God revealed himself to JS. Shaking his hand I was overcome with a deep realization of God’s amazing power to transform lives. Here was a modern Saul; a man bent on destroying anything carrying the name of Christ. Now, like Paul, he carries the name of Christ through to the people of his country with a vision to change his entire nation by pointing them toward the Messiah! I remembered the mission that Jesus Christ had given to Saul as he stood blind on the side of the road leading to Damascus--"I am sending you," said Jesus, "to open their eyes...and bring them from darkness into light." JS's eyes had been opened and now he was bringing those around him into the light!
I listened to him share his story with amazement at the way God revealed himself to JS. Shaking his hand I was overcome with a deep realization of God’s amazing power to transform lives. Here was a modern Saul; a man bent on destroying anything carrying the name of Christ. Now, like Paul, he carries the name of Christ through to the people of his country with a vision to change his entire nation by pointing them toward the Messiah! I remembered the mission that Jesus Christ had given to Saul as he stood blind on the side of the road leading to Damascus--"I am sending you," said Jesus, "to open their eyes...and bring them from darkness into light." JS's eyes had been opened and now he was bringing those around him into the light!
In light of recent events in the international news a question came to mind. What if Jesus’ disciples had tried to take out Saul as a reaction to Saul’s violence against them? What if they had killed him BEFORE his Damascus road experience? What if local believers here had hunted down JS before his miraculous transformation? What if he had never been given the opportunity to REALLY know a real Christian and understand who is Christ?
There is no question that both deserved to die for what they had done. They did not deserve God’s grace. But who among us does? When it comes to God’s grace none of us are worthy. We are all guilty and in the same boat (Rom 3:23).
What is our responsibility, as followers of Christ, towards those who would seek to do harm to us? How often do we ignore the words of Jesus to love our neighbors and pray for those who persecute? How often am I not willing to turn the other cheek? Do we really believe that the Holy Spirit is still in the business of transforming lives?
I’m reminded that God’s power to transform is far more powerful than we often think possible; more far-reaching than our own arms of hatred and prejudice can ever reach and able to bring about a peace impossible to obtain by repression, force, or legislation. Through the lives of transformed men and women like Paul and JS God has, and will continue, to shape and reshape this world in his image.
There is no question that both deserved to die for what they had done. They did not deserve God’s grace. But who among us does? When it comes to God’s grace none of us are worthy. We are all guilty and in the same boat (Rom 3:23).
What is our responsibility, as followers of Christ, towards those who would seek to do harm to us? How often do we ignore the words of Jesus to love our neighbors and pray for those who persecute? How often am I not willing to turn the other cheek? Do we really believe that the Holy Spirit is still in the business of transforming lives?
I’m reminded that God’s power to transform is far more powerful than we often think possible; more far-reaching than our own arms of hatred and prejudice can ever reach and able to bring about a peace impossible to obtain by repression, force, or legislation. Through the lives of transformed men and women like Paul and JS God has, and will continue, to shape and reshape this world in his image.
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