Receiving New Letters: Paul's Conversion

RECEIVING NEW LETTERS
Paul's Conversion

Acts 9:1-19

Despite the mayhem/disruption he has already caused (Acts 7: 58, 59; 8:1-3), Saul was still breathing murderous threats (Acts 9:1). Satan’s appetite to destroy is insatiable. He always asks for more. God however would not permit Saul to pursue the scattered believers outside Jerusalem v. 3-4. There are limits to what the enemy can do. Christians in Damascus heard he was coming and most likely were praying.  Saul had letters from the high priest in Jerusalem to arrest believers in Damascus and bring them to Jerusalem. Instead, the risen king, the true High Priest (Heb 8:1) ambushed and arrested him as he neared Damascus and handed him over to the hands of believers in Damascus. The people he wanted to destroy became his door of hope. He received new letters that totally reversed his mission and made him the most triumphant apostle who took the gospel far and wide and wrote letters we still read. God can rewrite the script of your life. What script is guiding your life and driving your motivations. You can also receive new letters. God’s new letters however:

*Come at a PRICE. Our Lord Jesus Christ paid the real price for all blessings at the cross. For your part, every spiritual progress requires that you let go of something. Exchange something of no value or temporal value for something of immeasurably greater value.  You have to lose something you are holding on to make room for God’s best. Saul was able to let go of his sinful ambition, the familiar, the old letters, and all past gains because he got a revelation of Jesus as Lord – ‘who are you, Lord (v.5)’… ‘I am Jesus whom you are resisting’. When you receive a revelation of Jesus, no price is too high to pay to know him better (Phil 3:4-13; Acts 9:7, 9)).  Oh how we need this revelation daily even if its not as dramatic – ‘I am Jesus speaking to you, calling you, fighting for you, providing your needs, with a wonderful plan for you, etc’. Saul conceded defeat and allowed Jesus to rule. He made himself available for God - ‘What will you have me do?’ Every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord (Phil 2:11). How much are you willing to let go to win the things of God. We should pay the ashes to gain beauty (Isa 61:3).

*Come with a RACE.  Saul was carrying letters from the high Priest (Acts 9:2). Jesus described the letters as letters of self-destruction - ‘it is hard for you to kick against the pricks’ (Acts 9: 4, 6).  The Lord gave him new letters in line with his calling from birth (Gal 1:15) that commissioned him to preach the good news primarily among Gentiles.  From breathing murderous threats, he began to preach life and peace. From carrying letters of self-destruction, he received letters of life. Which letters are you carrying? Are they letters of life or of destruction? Each person was born for a purpose. Each has a race to win. Every believer is on earth to represent Jesus (2 Cor 5:20; Mat 28:18-20; Mak 16:15-18) who represents us in heaven as our High Priest.  

*Come with GRACE. Scales fell off and Saul had a new vision (Acts 9:17, 18). God calls, transforms and uses inadequate/imperfect people. God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called. God gives vision, power and passion for doing his will (Eph 5:18). God’s favor seeks for you at the place of your calling. Your natural/own strength will not accomplish God’s work. The forces of darkness are too strong for your own strength. You need power from on high to make things happen, to strategize, to execute,  to compel, to open up, etc (Jer 1:10, Acts 1:8).

*Come with an EMBRACE. Ananias received Saul as ‘Brother Saul’ (9:17). Saul lost favor with some but gained favor with people who mattered to the fulfillment of his new letters.  God raised a new support network to celebrate, encourage, inspire and hold him accountable for the new mandate he received (Acts 9:10-14, 17, 25, 27).

[Cross-reference with Acts 22:3-21; 26:9-23; Gal 1:11-24, Phil 3:4-13]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa