But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. (Acts 9:13 ESV)
THE PROBLEM
To be transparent for a moment, it is only by God’s sovereign grace that I am able to pastor people. Often I feel like Ananias, seeing only a persons short comings, issues, sin areas, or just plain stupidity. I quickly forget about the endless abyss of grace that God repeatedly hurls me into.
Two verses later, we read…
“GO, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
THE FACTS
1. God has a redemptive plan for EVERYONE.
2. He wants us to GO and reach the beautiful, the stupid, the murderer, the annoying, the rich, the poor, and everything in between.
3. No one is beyond hope. (I am living proof of that)
“Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; (Acts 9:17-18)
THE TRUTH
Ananias went to Saul, and the results are immeasurable.
When we meet people where they are, speak the truth, and call forth purpose…the scales fall off, & the blind will see!
THE GOAL
Don’t merely read this, and think,what a sweet sentiment, or look for my many grammatical errors, or comment on/like the post because its social media etiquette!
Here is the goal…
1. IDENTIFY people in your life who are lovely, ugly, rich, poor or stupid, but blind to the truth.
2. GO to them with the truth of the LOVE of Christ.
YOU ARE THE CHANGE AGENT…and there are blind Saul’s near you. They are waiting for someone to see beyond their past, beyond their issues, and beyond their stupidity.
Waiting for someone to see the inner Paul!
