Image hearing the news that the most notorious person on earth has changed. Or maybe you get a call that someone who has personally caused you all kinds of trouble in life now wants to be your best friend because they have completely changed. Could the biggest criminal, the most notorious drug dealer, the gang leader or the bully in the hallway at school really change? I mean REALLY CHANGE?
Have you heard about a man named Saul in the Bible whose name was changed to Paul? Saul was a notorious murderer of Christians, going house to house capturing men and women and executing them just because they had committed their life to Christ.
One day while walking down the road on the way to a city called Damascus a bright light burst onto the scene and blinded him while the voice of Jesus spoke from “out of nowhere” saying, “Saul, why are you kicking against the pricks?” Jesus literally asked him why he was ignoring the conviction God had placed in his heart and why he was continuing down this life path of wickedness.
Saul fell to his knees and when the voice stopped Saul couldn’t see and he didn’t eat or drink for three straight days. God sent a man named Ananias to talk to him and Saul accepted Jesus as his Savior and became transformed. He was so transformed that his name was changed from Saul to Paul and he is the Paul that ended up writing about half the books of the New Testament.
God is powerful and He can change lives. He can help you do a 180 degree turn and become a completely different person if you will let Him.
“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?” Acts 9:20-21
Here Are the Key Factors of Saul’s 180 Degree Life Change
- He Experienced God’s Voice of Conviction. Don’t ignore what you know is God’s voice. God has a unique way of “pricking our heart” and making us aware that we are living in sin. He tells us that we are wrong, we are headed the wrong way and its time we stop and listen.
- He Stopped and Embraced the Silence. For three days he couldn’t see, eat or drink. He was consumed with nothing but an overwhelming sense of “what now?” When God speaks to you it’s important to stop and listen. Maybe it’s time away from the distractions, sometimes it’s a time of illness, time in the hospital, time after the break up of a friendship or just some change in life that gives us that opportunity to be alone and listen to God. He has a message and you need to have ears wide open to hear it.
- He Recognized the Voice of Truth. God sent a man named Ananias to talk to Saul about who Jesus really is and how Jesus could transform his life. Do you know the difference between the “truth tellers” in your life and those who aren’t? It’s very important to know who to listen to and who to ignore when it comes to decisions that will change your life forever.
- He Committed His Life to a New Purpose. When Saul accepted Jesus into his heart he put 100% of his heart and passion into sharing the life-changing message of the gospel of Jesus. He became a preacher and surrounded himself with other disciples of Christ. When God changes your life, He changes your heart and with that should come a commitment to a new life purpose and new friends that align with that purpose.
Read Acts 9:1-22
Ken Turner
Learn more at https://kenturnerministries.org/walking-with-god/
Email me at kenturner@highimpactteens.org
