Saul was Free

This whole week we’ve been looking at the things that changed in Saul’s theology once he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Perhaps the greatest change for him was the role the law played in his life.

"For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:19-21 NIV)

Before, the law was the way for Saul to get right with God.  After, he understood that we cannot get right with God through the law.  Our relationship with God is made right through Jesus.  His death took our place.  He is the perfect and final sacrifice.  He is the High Priest that opens up the curtain to the Holy of Holies where God dwells.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV)

Before, we were afraid to approach God because we may die.  Now, Jesus provided a way for us to return that is promised to be safe.  We will not die because Jesus died in our place.  We will live because Jesus is alive again.  These promises allow us to approach God without fear of death.  It all changes for the better when we encounter Jesus.

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15 NIV)

This shift changes how we approach our everyday lives, too.  Before, we needed to learn the law, memorize the law, and follow the law.  Now, the law has been fulfilled through Jesus so everything changes.  What do we do now?  We walk by the Spirit.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:13-14 NIV)

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh...The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:16-23 NIV)

For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:5-6 NIV Emphasis mine)

Did you notice the change here?  If asked before his encounter with Jesus, Saul would have said the only thing that matters is our faithful adherence to the law.  Now that he has met Jesus, he says the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.  We have been set free.

How about you?  Have you been set free from the fear of death?  Are you ready and willing to face our living God?  Do you walk by the Spirit of God?  Do you live out this faith in Jesus, expressing itself through love?

Saul was Forgiven and Reconciled

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." (Acts 9:10-12 NIV)

When we allow it, God will work through us.  We can be then hands and feet of Jesus.  We can be the words of Jesus.  We can be the love of Jesus visible to those around us.

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." (Acts 9:13-14 NIV)

When God calls us to love others, though, it can be frightening.  They can be mean, hurtful, and, as was the case with Saul, even want us dead because we believe in Jesus.

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." (Acts 9:15-16 NIV)

Sometimes, though, that difficult person is the exact person that God wants us to reach.  Our part in God’s plan may very well be to rebuilt our hurting marriage, reconcile with parents or children, or even be the person who gets through to the boss at work.  God’s call is irrevocable.  When God says, “Go,” we go.

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. (Acts 9:17-19 NIV)

Saul learned something that day through Ananias.  Saul learned that he was forgiven by God through Jesus.  Saul learned that he was reconciled with God through Jesus.  Saul learned that the one he had been fighting, he now needed to share with others.  Ananias was God’s instrument to teach Saul about Jesus.

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9 NIV)

How about you?  Is God calling you to reach out to a specific person or people?  Do they need to learn how to be forgiven and reconciled to God? Does God want to work through you to help them learn about Jesus?

Saul Repented

Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. (Acts 9:8-9 NIV)

After Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he found himself blinded and realizing how blind he had been before his Jesus-encounter.  Saul started to reevaluate his understanding of God and what it meant to walk together with God.  Now, his picture would center around Jesus.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:1-3 NIV)

He would rethink everything he had learned with Jesus now at the center.  Jesus was the Messiah or Christ.  He was the Son of God.  He was God in the flesh.  Saul’s picture changed, but his zeal for the Lord did not.  Now that he understood Jesus is the Christ, he would fight fervently for this new picture.  Only this time, God would not stop him.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse! (Galatians 1:6-9 NIV)

How about you?  Have you allowed God to adjust your picture of God at times in your life?  Do you let God turn you around?  Do you desire to walk with God?  Do you hold firmly to that desire?

Saul Met Jesus

Saul wasn’t just a Pharisee who followed his faith to the letter of the law.  He zealously fought against anyone else who disagreed with him.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (Acts 7:59-8:1 NIV)

Sharing our faith with others is good.  In fact, leadership in God’s church is about walking with God and helping others do the same.  Saul, however, took this plan too far when he approved stoning people to death for not walking with God.

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2 NIV)

God wants us to bring people home, not put them to death.  Saul would learn this the hard way.

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. (Acts 9:3-7 NIV)

Everything changed for Saul on that road to Damascus.  That day he would encounter Jesus, the living God.  Saul’s life would be changed forever.

How about you?  Have you ever been so zealous for your faith that you were willing to harm others who disagreed with you?  Have you ever encountered Jesus, the living God?  Did it change your life, too?

A Pharisee

Three weeks ago we looked at a fisherman.  Two weeks ago we focused on a tax-collector.  Last week we looked at a beloved.  Now we get to focus on a Pharisee.

[C]ircumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. (Philippians 3:5-6 NIV)

Saul wasn’t just a religious leader of his day.  He was one of the best.  He had read his Bible.  He most probably had large portions of it memorized.  He knew his theology and held firmly to his Church Doctrine.

I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. (Acts 22:3 NIV)

Traditions were preserved from generation through him.  He was zealous (full  of energy) for the faith.  People who didn’t believe or were wavering in their faith had no place in Saul’s life.

The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. (Acts 26:4-6 NIV)

How about you?  Does your faith-background match Saul’s?  Do you know your Bible?  Have you memorized large parts of it?  Do you know how to argue for your theology or doctrine?  Does your faith look like a Pharisee?