Those Who Resist the Gospel
Acts 9:1-31
If I were to ask you, “Is anyone beyond where God is able to reach?” you may answer quickly, “No, of course not.” But if you stopped to think about a specific person, perhaps an individual who has been cruel, heartless, or hurtful toward you or someone you love, would you really believe that God could reach that person too?
Our perspective changes a bit when we move out of the “theological realm” and into the “real world.” What seems simple enough in theory may be extremely difficult in practice.
Can you imagine what it must have been like for the apostle Paul at the time of his conversion? Back then, he was known as Saul, and he was a notorious persecutor of the Christian church. Saul even went so far as to hunt down believers in order to have them executed!
Do you think people trusted him immediately after his experience with Jesus? What must the reaction have been from the believers who knew him only as a murderer? Surely, Paul was forced to suffer their harshest stares and questions.
And yet, God moved in a mighty way through this former persecutor. Despite Paul’s past, God had a specific plan for him, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostle was used to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world.
Is there someone whom you have “written off” as not needing or wanting to hear the Gospel? Ask the Lord to speak to your heart today. He just may plan to use you to bring another Paul-type believer into His church.
Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries