May 16 - Acts 9: Radical Conversion

Paul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus has become the most famous conversion story of all. On his way from Jerusalem to hunt down believers to arrest, this zealous persecutor of the church was stopped in his tracks by a blinding flash of light and the voice of Jesus from heaven.

"Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?" 

He said, "Who are you, Master?" (9:4-5)

I think it's a little amusing that Paul had no idea who was speaking to him, but regardless, this startling encounter was the beginning of taking the church to the world and proclaiming Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.

Paul's conversion was a radical one. No easing his way into the Way. No dipping his toes in the waters, seeing if it felt right or met his needs. In the power of the Spirit, he wholeheartedly threw himself into telling others about Jesus.

[He] went right to work, wasting no time, preaching in the meeting places that Jesus was the Son of God. (9:19) 

[H]e plowed straight into the opposition, disarming the Damascus Jews and trying to show them that this Jesus was the Messiah. (9:22) 

...uninhibited as he preached in the Master's name (9:28)

Obviously, after the Damascus road encounter, Saul was not the same man. The remainder of his life was proof of what God had done in his heart. Unlike Simon the wizard in chapter 8, there was no question whether Paul knew the Lord because he fully gave himself in humility and service.

Paul's radical conversion has me thinking about my own conversion fifteen years ago. Is my life proof that God lives within me? In some ways, absolutely. In other ways, not so much. (It's probably not the best day to ask this question. Let's just say that potty training my kid brings out the worst in me. Ugh.)

Does my life accurately reflect Jesus? Do I obey the One I claim to love? (John 14:21) Do others know I'm a Christian by my love for others? (John 13:35)

Something I'm thinking about on a not-so-stellar day...