How God often works in our lives

The most unlikely person to be converted in the New Testament was a man named Saul of Tarsus. You may know him as the apostle Paul. It was common for a Jewish person in the first century to have two names. His Jewish name was Saul. He was named after Israel’s first king. His Latin or Greek name was Paul.

Saul was born into a strict Jewish family. His parents were of the tribe of Benjamin. He described himself as “a Hebrew of the Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5). He was religious, conservative and devout. He was raised in Tarsus. Tarsus was a large city- a major trading center- on the Mediterranean coast. Probably in his teenage years he was sent to Jerusalem. There he studied under the great Pharisee Gamaliel. Saul probably lived with his sister who resided in Jerusalem (Acts 23:16).

Saul persecuted the church “beyond measure” (Galatians 1:13). In Acts 6 he held the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen. Stephen was the very first martyr in the New Testament. Yet, God transformed Saul’s life. God brought him to saving faith. He went from being a persecutor to faithfully proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. How did God save Saul of Tarsus? How did God intervene in his life?

The way God saved Saul is often the same way he saves you and me. The steps God used in his life are the same way God often works in our lives today. Acts chapter 9 gives us three insights into the way God saved Saul. God works today in the same way.

The first step is that God brought a crisis into his life. In Acts 9 Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute believers. Verse 3 says, “As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.” He saw the shekinah glory. He was knocked off his horse and blinded. He heard the voice of Jesus asking, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4).

Saul was stunned, blinded and shocked. Verse 8 says that he was led by the hand to Damascus. Verse 9 reads, “And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

God often brings a crisis into our lives to get our attention. C.S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures and shouts to us in our pains.” I listen much better in tough times than in good times! Sometimes the Lord Jesus brings a crisis into our lives in order to get our attention. Our God works through crises to accomplish great things. Tough times do not take the Lord by surprise. He uses them for His purposes.

The second step is that God brought a companion into Saul’s life. In verses 11 and 12 God told a man named Ananias to go and visit Saul. Ananias was not very excited about this mission! Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name” (verses 13-14).

Thankfully, Ananias was obedient and the rest is history. God delivers the truth of Scripture through people. In Romans 10:15 Paul wrote, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” Feet are normally not beautiful. In the first century people walked on dusty, dirty streets with sandals. Bringing the good news that Jesus is the Messiah makes even our feet beautiful.

God often uses a crisis. God often uses a companion. The third step is that God brings a calling into a person’s life. Jesus Christ told Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake” (verses 15-16).

Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross. The resurrection demonstrates He is equal to God the Father and He offered a perfect sacrifice. Repenting and believing on Jesus produces a great calling in our lives. Our sins are forgiven. We have peace with God. God becomes our Father. Jesus becomes our older Brother. We have eternal life.

The account of Saul’s conversion is mentioned three times in the Bible (Acts 9, 22 and 26). God repeated Himself three times to emphasize the importance of this event. He often uses a crisis and a companion and then a calling to change a person.

Perhaps today you are facing a crisis. Maybe there is a person in your life today who is pointing you toward the Savior. God has a great calling for your life. God used Saul to write thirteen of the twenty seven books of the New Testament. As believers we will meet him in heaven. God has a plan and a purpose for your life as well!

Ethan Hansen is the pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.