Monday, July 6, 2015
Acts 9:13-15 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel."
MISSIONARY SAUL: CONVERTED BY GOD TO SHARE THE WORD OF LIFE
The story of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus from unbelief to faith in Jesus is well-known. As he was traveling from Jerusalem to Damascus to bring back Christians and imprison them, Jesus suddenly appeared to him in a bright light on the road. He changed Saul from being an enemy of His to being His friend, from being a hater of the Gospel to being a lover and eager proclaimer of it. From that day forward nothing gave Saul greater joy than to speak the word of life in Jesus to others.
The miracle of hearts being transformed from unbelief to faith in the Savior continues to happen today. By the preaching of the Gospel Word the Holy Spirit has worked in us a recognition of our sinfulness and our need for the Lord's forgiveness. He's caused us to abandon all efforts to earn heaven by our efforts and to trust solely in Christ. He's transformed us from being enemies of God to being His children -- people who love Jesus, cherish the Gospel, and have the burning desire to share it.
Like Saul, we have been brought to faith in Christ so that we might declare the praises of Him who called us of the darkness into His marvelous light.
