From Terrorist to Apostle: The Amazing Conversion of Saul to Paul – Part 3
August 24, 2009
Dear Friends,
Jesus was an example to us of the ideal in virtually every aspect of his life. He was not, however, a model for us in repentance. How could he be? Jesus had nothing for which he needed to repent.
Enter Saul of Tarsus.
It seems to me that while Jesus acts the model of perfection for us, Paul acts as the model of repentance. Repentance means to turn around. It is a lot more than feeling sorry about what you have done, it is changing your life. Consider how much Paul changed. He went from a murderer willing to kill to stop the preaching of Jesus to a man willing to sacrifice his own life for the preaching of Jesus. He went from a prideful man trying to establish his own righteousness by law-keeping to a humble man who was completely dependent upon grace. He went from extreme hate to extreme love. He changed from self- promotion to promotion of others.
People often speculate why Saul of Tarsus was singled out for a visit from Jesus. It is often conjectured that his zeal, though misguided, was his drawing card. This might be a factor. However, Paul tells us why he was chosen.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. (Titus 1:15-16 NIV)
Saul was chosen because he was the worst of sinners and therein demonstrated the patience of Jesus.
Why on earth would you, if you were Jesus, pursue the worst of sinners? Why not pursue someone “semi- sinful” and not someone who needed a complete overhaul? As we were suggesting above, we need an example. The lesson is that if Jesus can take the “worst of sinners” and turn him into the Apostle Paul, maybe he can even work with me! Maybe, just maybe, I can turn my life around too. No one is beyond redemption if they will only believe and repent.
We have admittedly used a charged term for Saul of Tarsus in referring to him in the title as a “terrorist.” I doubt that there are too many who receive the Thought for the Week who are engaged in terrorism. However, the odds are that there are more than a few of us that need to repent or turn our lives around. There may be some who are neck deep in legalism desperately trying, as was Saul, to declare his own righteousness. There may be some who are addled with addictions or sexual sins. There may be some among us whose love has grown cold. There may be some among us who only feign interest in the things of God but whose true passions are with the world. Whatever the case may be, as long as breath abides in us there is always hope.
As Paul himself concluded his first letter to Timothy, so we close this thought to you.
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:11-12 NIV)
Have a great week,
Comments»
Dear Bro. Kyle,
I think here we have a typical worldly notion that creaps into our thinking, denying the Godly principle that should be at work in us.
“to a man willing to sacrifice his own life for the preaching of Jesus”
I would suggest that this should read: “to a man who daily sacrified his own life to preaching Jesus.” The overriding principle of sacrifice is not “dieing” or “being put to death”, but one of “not my will, but thine be done!”. This critical difference helps us gague our our life of sacrifice. If nothing in our “spiritual life” seems to disagree with our fleshly life, our own desired “our will” then we should be taking a long hard look at ourselves! Christ did not ask us to DIE for him, he asks us to live FOR HIM, and not for ourselves. This should give us the clue that if we are comfortable in our lives, then we are not following God’s way. How often does the scripture make it clear that “my ways are not your ways”, and “the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked”. David prays “create in me a new heart oh God.” this is because he knew that the heart of flesh needed to be put to death through a life lived according to God’s will, and not according to David’s will. Paul was exceeding zealous for his brothers the Jews, even after his conversion it took him a very long time to realize that God had sent him to the Gentiles, while he sought to serve God and bring Glory to God, God had other plans for Paul. The greatest suffering Paul faced was knowing that no sacrifice – including giving up his eternal salvation would redeem his brothers, the Jews, because they would not turn to God. Romans 9:3 where Paul writes, “For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race.” That sacrifice as Moses earlier discovered in Ex 32:32 “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin?; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” God didn’t want Paul to Die for him, he wanted Paul to Live for him, Phil 1:21 (see context) just as he wants us to live – for him. “take up your cross and FOLLOW me.” not ‘take up your cross and hang there and die’. remember Jesus also said “Math 11:28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” and these two burdens “my cross” and “my yoke” i suggest are the same thing! The life of sacrifice of “putting self to death and living for Christ” which is a far better and easier way to live, only it goes against our nature of “self first”. It’s a life of looking forward Heb 12:1-5, it’s a life that will can only truely live if Christ is our head, and we honestly say “my heart is no good, Create in me a clean heart Oh God”. Ps 51:10.
The honesty here is refreshing. Would like to meet y’all (I’m from the South) in person. (I’m a monotheist who also believes Jesus Christ the Son of God is the soon coming King.)
Regards, Bill