We Are A Lot Like Saul

Today’s reading, Acts 9:10-19, is about Saul.

Saul of Tarsus. Saul the Pharisee. Saul, the persecutor of the early Church.

Saul believed one earned his way to heaven by following laws. These laws were God’s Laws, plus the laws that the Pharisees made.  Christians, on the other hand, believed one made it to heaven by believing in Jesus. To Saul, this was heresy and the Christians had to be stopped, lest they lead Jews away from heaven. No wonder Saul persecuted the Church!

A funny thing happened on the road to Damascus. Saul had an epiphany, that is, an eye opening experience. Saul learned that the way to heaven really is through Jesus Christ, and not the law.

The biggest persecutor of the early Church became a Christian. Not only that, but Saul was God’s “chosen instrument to carry his name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” How could Saul do this? How could God accept Saul?

Before Saul left, Ananias baptized him. At baptism, the Holy Spirit entered Saul. The Spirit made Saul Holy, that is, acceptable to God.  His sins were forgiven, and remember, Saul had a rap sheet a mile long! Saul was justified!

Saul was also sanctified. The Holy Spirit provided Saul with everything he needed to accomplish God’s purpose for him. Not only was Saul acceptable to God, but he was equipped to carry out God’s Will.

We are a lot like Saul.

Our past may not be identical to Saul’s, but we also have a rap sheet of some sort. None of us can keep God’s Law, yet God still loves us, just as we are.

We get the same benefits that Saul got when we are baptized. Like Saul, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Our sins are forgiven. We are “right” before God. We are equipped to carry out God’s Will.

Maybe we will never get to share Jesus with a king. But we do have the opportunity to share our faith with our friends and neighbors.

Forgiven and equipped, we are a lot like Saul!