And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Acts 9
Saul was a religious zealot who had been convinced he was doing the will of God. Sounds like a few false religious terrorists in the news in recent years. Saul had been working fervently to destroy the disciples, the 'people of the way'..the church of Jesus Christ. It was because of the name of Jesus that they were being cast in prison and murdered. For His name sake. Jesus said that if we give a cup of water in His name then we won't lose our reward. So you see He cares how others treat His children. He takes it personally.
(Matthew 18:6,7)?
Coming out of the darkness of Satan's deception can change a life like nothing else. God removed Saul's natural eyesight yet he received spiritual 20/20 vision. Jesus Christ, the risen King revealed himself to Saul in a supernatural way. Then he sent the disciple Ananias to lay hands on him and he received his sight again. Though the disciple was fearful at first, because of Saul's past, God encouraged him to obey by telling him how great Saul would suffer for Jesus' name sake.
Saul, who was later called Paul, had been a great persecutor of the church of Jesus Christ. He was an ignorant religious zealot, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ he became the minister of the Gentiles, author of many books of the New Testament, and the 13th apostle. Below is his confession of his past mistakes:
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. I Corinthians 15
Still today Christians in many Communist and Islamic countries are being persecuted for their faith with abuse, imprisonment, and murder. When you pray remember the persecuted church. Whatever level of persecution you may have endured or will endure, know that God knows and sees and cares for you personally. Read His Word and pray daily.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5
Jesus told the disciples we would be hated for His name sake. And that truth has been proven down through the centuries. He also said that we could overcome the evil of this world by having faith in Him...in the power of His name. All power in heaven and earth belongs to Him-Our Lord of lords and King of Kings. We must remember to follow Jesus' example of love and forgiveness..even toward our persecutors. We cannot overcome evil with evil. That's the Enemy's tactics and it doesn't work either. The Bible passage below is a good guideline for living pleasing to God in these last days.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
I Thessalonians 5
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