But Saul was full of menace and the fury of murder against the disciples of Our Lord... And immediately, things like scales fell from his eyes and his eyes were opened. He arose and was baptized.
-Acts 9:9;18
There are multiple videos of people putting on special glasses, which enable color blind people to see in color. In one video, a 66-year-old man seems to be opening a present. He’s sitting in the yard with his family when he slips the glasses on. The glasses are only on for an instant when he removes them. Placing his face in his hands, the man begins to sob.
That’s a bit like an encounter with Jesus. When we encounter the risen LORD three things happen: 1) there is a radical transformation, 2) there is an immediate transformation, and 3) there is a permanent transformation and mobilization. Unlike the glasses described earlier, Jesus cannot be slipped on and off at our convenience. Our encounter with Him radically, immediately, and permanently changes us.
That’s exactly what happened when Saul encountered Jesus Christ. Saul, filled with menace and rage, was on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians. Along the way, Saul encountered the risen Christ. Saul was radically transformed. He went from murdering and persecuting Christians to being a humble preacher, relentless missionary, obedient church planter, and prolific minister until he died.
In Acts 9:20, Scripture tells us, “...immediately he (Saul) began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is indeed the Son of God!’” That’s what an encounter with the risen Christ accomplishes.
When the scales fell, Saul began preaching immediately. Serving isn’t something that happens when we know enough, when we’ve studied enough, or when we’ve been mentored and discipled enough.
The ministry of loving and serving was always God’s plan for humanity. Ministry isn’t something reserved for professionals. In Philippians 2:3 the Apostle Paul wrote, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
In Galatians 5:14 Paul stated it like this, “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" There’s no certificate, badge, degree, diploma, pin, title or position required to love and serve the LORD. Every Christian is called to ministry. When we truly encounter Christ - it happens immediately.
When the scales fell, Saul began preaching immediately. Serving isn’t something that happens when we know enough, when we’ve studied enough, or when we’ve been mentored and discipled enough.
The ministry of loving and serving was always God’s plan for humanity. Ministry isn’t something reserved for professionals. In Philippians 2:3 the Apostle Paul wrote, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
In Galatians 5:14 Paul stated it like this, “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" There’s no certificate, badge, degree, diploma, pin, title or position required to love and serve the LORD. Every Christian is called to ministry. When we truly encounter Christ - it happens immediately.
Without Christ, there can be no radical, immediate, and permanent transformation or mobilization. Saul (later referred to as Paul) had an authentic experience with the risen LORD. The radical, immediate, and permanently transformative reality of that encounter with Christ drove Paul to endure ridiculous opposition in multiple forms.
His ministry looked nothing like the loathsome, disconnected, and polished TV preachers of today. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 Paul lists some of those challenges: ministry, prison, floggings, exposure to death, lashes, beaten with rods, pelted with stones, shipwrecked, lost at sea, constant persecution, bandits, the elements, false teachers, and the lack of food, clothing, and shelter.
Nothing, not even death, deterred Paul from the ministry of the Gospel of Christ. In Philippians 1:21 Paul wrote, “...living is for Christ, and dying is even better.” The permanence of resilient perseverance amid trials and opposition is the hallmark of authentic Christianity.
His ministry looked nothing like the loathsome, disconnected, and polished TV preachers of today. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 Paul lists some of those challenges: ministry, prison, floggings, exposure to death, lashes, beaten with rods, pelted with stones, shipwrecked, lost at sea, constant persecution, bandits, the elements, false teachers, and the lack of food, clothing, and shelter.
Nothing, not even death, deterred Paul from the ministry of the Gospel of Christ. In Philippians 1:21 Paul wrote, “...living is for Christ, and dying is even better.” The permanence of resilient perseverance amid trials and opposition is the hallmark of authentic Christianity.
Like the man with the special glasses, the encounter with the risen Christ literally changes the way we see everything. Convenient religion and cultural Christianity (like removable glasses) don’t address or resolve the root issue - our separation from God.
We cannot cease to be sinners by simply putting on externals of polite religion and Christian culture. God Almighty cannot be put on and taken off at our discretion. When the scales of our false realities fall, no arguments follow. There is only radical, immediate, and permanent transformation in the light of God’s truth and grace.
We cannot cease to be sinners by simply putting on externals of polite religion and Christian culture. God Almighty cannot be put on and taken off at our discretion. When the scales of our false realities fall, no arguments follow. There is only radical, immediate, and permanent transformation in the light of God’s truth and grace.
So the question remains: Have you ever truly encountered the risen Christ? Have you been radically, immediately, and permanently transformed and mobilized by that encounter? Does the fruit of your ministry testify to that or are you happy with the conveniently disposable glasses of polite religion and Christian culture?
Blessings,
-Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
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