Coincidence or for a Purpose?Sample

Paul

Who is the last person you believe God could ever save? For most of us, our minds go to those we would deem “the worst of society.” Those found in the most secure prisons. Those found on the “most wanted” list. Or maybe even those we know personally who have hurt us in some significant way. 

In the book of Acts, had a survey been taken and this question asked, I believe Saul of Tarsus would’ve been named. Not because he fit any of the descriptions above but because even in Scripture he was described as one who was “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1). 

He was the enemy of the church. The opposition to the cause of Christ. And, as Saul would soon find out, he was seen by Jesus as the persecutor of God Himself. 

Up until this moment on the road to Damascus, Saul denied Jesus as Lord, ruler, and master of this world and of his life. Yet on that day, it was this very thing that he would admit—Jesus is Lord. 

Saul, later known as the Apostle Paul, went from being the enemy of the church to one of its greatest evangelists. It was such a drastic transformation that many Christians of his day did not initially believe his conversion. And how can we blame them? Before this it was Saul who stood at the feet of the church’s first martyr and gave his approval for Stephen’s execution. It was Saul that caused the church to suffer, to have their families torn apart, and to give their very lives for their faith in Christ. 

Paul wouldn’t mention much about it but I can only imagine that the past failures of his life were not easily forgotten. I believe this made Paul the incessant teacher of God’s grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love that we see all throughout the Biblical books that he penned. 

It is within one of those books that he would write “that every knee should bow…and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,” (Philippians 2:10-11). 

Paul once experienced failure in rejecting Jesus as Lord but God used that to teach others that He is—whether they choose to admit it now or later. Paul knew from experience that no matter how powerful or in control we think we are we will all realize one day we are not Lord. Even from the failure to believe the very essence of the Gospel God brought about a purpose in the life of one who would end up giving his own life for that very cause. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Paul made the choice to reject Jesus as Lord and Master of this world and of his life. But He also repented and God used him for a purpose. Will you allow that to be true in your life as well?