Are We Ready For Saul?

“Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

Acts 9:3-4 (ESV).

Saul had a rather extensive resume of violence, threats, and hatred for Christians. He seemed to be the church’s worst enemy, the one to be feared. We are told in numerous scriptures, often by Paul himself, that he was an aggressive persecutor of the church. His reputation preceded him, and he was known by many, if not all, for being bold and ruthless.

Many of us have heard the conversion of Saul preached, for it’s an extraordinary account of a supernatural life change. It was not all smooth sailing for Saul as he ventured into new territory, where he picked up his cross to follow the very One he spent so long persecuting. 

Acts 9:26 reads “And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.” (ESV).

It’s easy to understand why many Christians were skeptical about Saul’s motive. Here was a man who had been dedicated to terrorizing Christians, and was now attempting to align himself with them.

Paul’s life is a beautiful example of how your past does not define your future. 1 Timothy 1:15 reads “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

Paul considered himself the greatest of sinners, but that did not affect how God transformed and healed his broken life.

Paul’s life is a beautiful example of how your past does not define your future.

The world is rapidly changing, and many believe that we are on the precipice of a great end-time revival. That revival will bring a varying demographic of people. We may very well have our own Saul walk through the doors of our church. Are we ready for them?

Have we prepared our hearts with prayer, ready to receive people who don’t look, talk, or live like us? Like Jesus, will we be able to see the potential in those standing before us? Are we clothed with humility, understanding that we are all sinners saved by grace?

Do we have an attitude like that of the father of the prodigal son? Do we have a ring and robe prepared for those who have strayed from their relationship with God?

Today, I ask you: are we ready for Saul?