Saturday 11 June 2016

From Darkness To Light



Scripture: Acts 26 v 14 - 18:
"And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.  But rise and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee; to open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me."

This conversation Jesus had with Saul shows how well Jesus chooses His ministers! He saw how Saul was kicking against the pricks, or resisting the Holy Spirit convicting him, and knew the exact moment to make an entrance into His life.   He had absolutely no doubt that Saul would be converted and become the most powerful apostle to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. 

He still had to go through 3 years of training at Jesus' feet to learn the whole revelation of Jesus from His own mouth. It made him unshakeable in his faith and commitment. From a Pharisee who would stop at nothing to stop Christianity spreading to its most ardent champion in the blink of an eye was powerful indeed. 

Jesus sent him to change darkness into light. The whole world lies in darkness wherever the light of Jesus does not shine. In John 1 it says that the Light shone in the darkness but the darkness could not comprehend it. Those who do not have a living relationship with Jesus Christ cannot understand those who do. 

Jesus said he must deliver them from the power of Satan unto God for forgiveness of sins. All of Satan's power is connected to sin. If you are born again yet indulging is some sinful disobedience, then in that particular sin you are allowing Satan to dominate you. And he will be merciless and work hard to steal your soul away from God. 

If Jesus went to such lengths to change Saul into Paul so we could learn about His kingdom, He also went to great lengths to save you. He washed you in His Blood to cleanse you from all sin. If you are secretly drugging; committing adultery; in a gay relationship; pursuing false doctrines or hankering after the sins you left behind, then you are compromising your relationship with Jesus and your light will flicker out. 

God has done absolutely everything He can do to secure you in eternal life with Him. The rest is up to you. You must make the choice like Britain has to do this month. Remain in the EU or leave. Are you going to remain in the Kingdom of God with all its benefits or choose the high life and squander your birthright?  That's why God hated Esau!  He gave up his birthright for a plate of food! It meant so little to him. 

We have an inheritance eternal in the heavens through the sacrifice of Jesus. Treasure it above everything. The New Testament is the ratified Will after the Testator died. Have you read the Will? Your inheritance? Do you know what you received from your Father? And if you do know, know this too, you have to share this knowledge with those who haven't read it yet. 

Prayer: Father, You went so far past the extra mile to ensure we could find our way home. You lit up the darkness with the Light of Jesus for us. Let us take this perfect Light and shine it everywhere so those on the outside can find salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen. 
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