By VAN YANDELL
Acts 3: 19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
It would be very difficult for a person not having experienced such a monumental change in their life (as stated in Acts 3: 19) to understand how a life can be drastically and completely changed given the right motivation and circumstances.
In the Book of Acts, we find several examples of life changes that can only be described as supernatural. Lives were literally turned to an opposite direction and purpose. Old or former values and beliefs were reversed.
Many, when reading the stories of Stephen, Saul (Paul), Peter and Agrippa, thoughts are had such as, “Things like that only happen in the Bible and not in real life.” To believe such is a defeatist attitude and the miracles God has in store for us are bypassed and in some cases, missed forever.
Whether we like it or not, we make some bad decisions. No one is exempt! We have choices to make and those can be in the right direction or the wrong direction.
Many of our decisions do not change our lives drastically but some surely do. Marriage, career/occupational decisions, religion preferences, beliefs and political ideologies are major life changing decisions. Our lives can be turned completely around by choices so consider them carefully.
Our choices, even if we refuse to acknowledge them, affect others. When we marry, we marry an entire family. When we adopt a political dogma our lives change according to those we are destined to associate with; thus, the lives of others may be changed by us.
Saul of Tarsus realized a change in his life that was a turning point and a directional change that can only be described as supernatural. Saul met Jesus face to face on the Damascus Road.
In Saul’s efforts to rid the world of this new religion called The Way, his journey to Damascus met with an unexpected event that changed his life. This event was not Saul’s choice but Jesus saw a person that had potential, the initiative, the determination and perseverance to carry the Gospel into Europe and beyond.
Acts 9: 15 “He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” Some versions of the Bible refer to Saul-Paul as a “chosen vessel.”
Whereas we choose Jesus, He also chooses us to accomplish His will and purpose. When we consider Paul’s experience, it superficially appears he had no choice. But the evidence exists to indicate when he realized the implications of what had happened, he became eager and willing to follow this very real and authentic Savior.
A part of the change that takes place in someone’s heart and mind is very much beyond human understanding. Nonetheless, many embrace it as a wonderful change. Others even acknowledge the change as “something I’ve been seeking but did not know what it was.”
Paul did indeed become the one that took the Gospel to the gentiles as indicated by Jesus in Acts 9: 15.
Extensively documented in the Book of Acts, written by The Apostle Luke, are the works of Paul and the other apostles and disciples in Jerusalem, other parts of Israel, Asia and Europe. Their determination to promote Jesus to a lost and dying world is beyond the will of many of today’s believers.
Many believe had it not been for Paul and those accompanying him, the Gospel would have died in Jerusalem. For any person to think their testimony and witness to a (spiritually) lost world is inconsequential; they should think again.
Paul’s missionary journeys through the known world exhibited supernatural events seldom seen. The Macedonian Call (Acts 16: 9-10), is such a case.
The case of the poisonous viper striking Paul (Acts 28: 1-6) and no harm coming to him was another miraculous event. This may not have initiated a change in Paul but having witnessed the incident changed the lives of others.
Paul’s meeting Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth (Acts 18: 2-3) can only be described as a divine appointment. He changed the direction of their lives and they changed him. When we change our direction, we must become analytical of the situation and careful in making decisions concerning them.
Aquila and Priscilla were tent makers as was Paul. This reference opened a very special relationship and opportunities to share the Gospel of our Jesus. Do we ever discuss our faith with our co-workers, like-minded individuals or other acquaintances?
The turning point opportunities in our lives are varied and many. We must be ever vigilant and analytical of situations and make a decision based on scriptural teachings. No one said these decisions would be easy but they come more often than we would sometimes prefer.
A very depressing account of a person that made a wrong decision and took the wrong direction was King Agrippa. Acts 26: 28 “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, you almost persuaded me to be a Christian.” “Almost” in this verse may be among the most heart rending words in the Bible and shows us how quickly a wrong turn can be made.
In writing this, my hope is, if the reader has made the right decision in his/her relationship with God; please consider those in your shadow. Help them to be guided toward a life of fulfillment in a belief that eternal salvation is attained by a faith based belief (Ephesians 2: 8) in Christ Jesus crucified (Matthew 27: 35) for the remission of sin (1 John 1: 9) and resurrected (Matthew 28: 6).
Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher said “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”