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When your enemy becomes a believer Consider Saul (who is called Paul) who was on his way to his next roundup of believers in Christ to incarcerate them, to have them killed. He was traveling as far as needed to incarcerate them. But something happened on the way this time, much like what happened to Balaam. After Saul is knocked to the ground and sees the glory of God who identifies himself to him as Jesus. He opens his eyes and then sees nothing. He spends the next 3 days in darkness (blind as symbol of his spiritual condition) to consider what he has been doing and what he believed in doing his activity against the Messiah. After Ananias is summoned by the Lord and reluctantly goes to lays hands on him that was the biggest enemy of the church, the scales that developed over his eyes that kept him darkness for 3 days fall off and he is able to see again. (an affirmed symbol of Christ) Immediately he goes out and preached Christ in the synagogues, that Jesus is the Son of God. “ Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?" But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ .” (Acts 9:20-22) Do you travel as far as needed to reach them? What do you do with those who were once the worst enemies of God become able to see what they are and then confess Jesus as their Lord? The church certainly prayed for their enemies, Saul being the most active of their day. In these last hours there will be many who were once like Saul that will have a Damascus road experience. Some will come out of cults, the occult and religions, others from politics. Will we accept them into the household of God, work with them to transition to their second chance, a new life in Christ or will we be suspicious and act as if they are still the enemy? Will we help them grow, disciple them to be complete in Christ. I know when my wife and I first came out of the new age movement it was difficult and many in the church did not know what to think of it, nor how to be a help. Some were hands off, others watched from afar, some made fun of what we once believed, still, there were others that tried to engage and be there for us, and we are thankful for that. Apart from God and his preservation and protection we may not have made it. Consider these Scriptures that have various applications to be active in help. 2 Cor. 1:3-4 “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Cor. 13:11-14 Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. Phil 2:1-4 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” |
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