Change the World

What kind of person are we? Can Yahweh depend on us to say I WILL? Will we be found From Persecutor to Follower, Reluctant but Willing, or Full of Faith and Abandon?

FROM PERSECUTOR TO FOLLOWER

Sometimes there are those who are determined to deny Christ. Saul of Tarsus is one.

Acts 9:1-18 ESV

“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. ⁴ And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ⁶ But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” ⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.⁸ Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

¹⁰ Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, ¹² and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” ¹³ But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” ¹⁷ So 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.” ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;”

Saul represents those of us who don’t believe, choose not to believe, or avoid the obvious. Someone who likes to be in control of their own lives. Someone who finds it easy to downplay the faith of others.

Notes: 

RELUCTANT BUT WILLING

Exodus 3:10-12 ESV

10 But Moses said, “No, Lord, don’t send me. I have never been a good speaker, and I haven’t become one since you began to speak to me. I am a poor speaker, slow and hesitant.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who gives man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or dumb? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? It is I, the Lord. 12 Now, go! I will help you to speak, and I will tell you what to say.”

While reluctant, Moses ultimately said I WILL. He represents the fearful or those who look for excuses to not be a voice.

Notes: 

FULL OF FAITH AND ABANDON

Mark 1:16-18 ESV

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Simon and Andrew represent those of us who jump without thinking! They believed and they abandoned all to follow the unknown.

Each of these people, even with their peculiar ways, changed the world. They were not alike in personality or background, but they were the same where it mattered. They said I will when called.

What matters ultimately is that when we know God has called us to be faithful, our reply is I WILL! With that spirit we can and will change the world.

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