And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him and reflect His glory even more. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Ron and I were talking about who we used to be compared to now, having been transformed by knowing Jesus and the Spirit working in us, helping us to be changed into His image. We don’t recognize the people we used to be praise Jesus!
Transformation is an internal shift that brings us in alignment with our highest potential, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory! It’s only possible by knowing Jesus, believing on Jesus and working with the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. Please check out my post from June 14, 2014 The Transformation. The Lord showed me a beautiful visual for our transformation in a changing maple leaf.
The Lord has been bringing me to Acts 9:1-31, which is about Saul’s conversion. I’m going to paraphrase it for brevity, but please take the time to read it and sit with the thought that he was a person just like you and I.
Saul was on a mission to destroy any and all followers of the Way. He went to the high priest and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus so they would cooperate. His plan was to bring the followers back to Jerusalem in chains, but as he was nearing Damascus, a bright light highlighted him and he fell to the ground. He then heard a voice asking him why he was persecuting Him? Saul asked, “Who are you, sir?”
The voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
Saul stood up and realized he was blind. The men with him were a bit freaked out because they heard the voice but couldn’t see anyone. They led Saul by the hand to Damascus where he waited for three days with no food or water.
Meanwhile, there was a believer, Ananias, in Damascus. The Lord told him to lay hands on Saul of Tarsus so he could see again. Ananias was afraid and reminded the Lord that Saul was the one persecuting believers.
But the Lord said, “Go and do what I say. For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. Acts 9:15
Ananias went and notice that he called Saul ‘brother’ and laid his hands on him, confirmed it was the Lord Jesus that had spoken to Saul and had sent him so that he would receive his sight back and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. Guys, religion will always cloud your vision. That is why it’s so important to ask Holy Spirit for help in seeing how He sees. Saul was entrapped by what he thought was the right thing, only to be set free. Relationship is expressed in love, but religion is forced by the law.
Saul was on fire for Jesus! He went to the synagogues in Damascus, saying, “Guys! Jesus is indeed the Son of God!” His preaching became more powerful. Of course people were skeptical because of who they knew Saul to be. Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute Saul’s proof that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, so the Jewish leaders (religion) decided to kill him. Some other believers found out and let him over the city wall in a basket because the gates were being watched so he couldn’t escape.
Saul then went to Jerusalem and tried to meet with believers there but they were afraid and thought he was tricking them. Then Barnabas stepped up and told them that Saul was now one of them so they accepted him. Saul then debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they were planning to murder him, so the believers took him to Caesarea and sent him on to his hometown of Tarsus. The church then had peace and grew in strength and number, walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The Lord shook things up!
Saul is a beautiful example of what transformation in Christ looks like. In Acts 9:15, Jesus said He had chosen Saul. Look at the following Scriptures:
And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of His favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Paul (Saul) gave his testimony in Galatians 1:11-24. There are other accounts of him giving his testimony as well, but check this one out. He told how he had been called from Jesus Christ himself and from God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. He told them, “Yes, I used to be that guy, but since I met Jesus, God revealed His Son in me and I’m not that old guy any more. Praise be to God. Look at Galatians 1:15:
But then something happened! (Jesus!) For it pleased God in His kindness to choose me and call me, even before I was born! What undeserved mercy!
What a beautiful transformation from death to Life. As you read about Paul’s transformation, think on your own and see where He has changed you and ask Him to show you anything that is keeping you from walking in the freedom our Jesus died to give.
As God’s partners, we beg you not to reject this marvelous message of God’s great kindness. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
Beloved ones, I pray for you as brother Paul did in Ephesians 3:14-21
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of Life and Power that comes from God. Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.