FAITH CAPSULE: Jesus will arrest man at His own way; His own time.

Acts 9

Apostle Saul (Paul) was illustrious murderer of followers of Christ. During Saul’s journey, he surrendered to Christ and had a changed name to Paul with a title as Apostle Paul. He became a celebrated writer of the New Testament. Evidence of Apostle Paul as the writer of most of the New Testament more than disciples of Jesus was his sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Paul surrendered for Jesus despite his passion to go after followers of Christ to persecute them.
By your words or by your action, are you a persecutor of Christ followers? Are you an acclaimed believer of God but lying, deception and manipulation is your way in the name of God? Be assured that your surrender like that of Paul is set for you at God’s appointed time. Lying, deception and manipulation is a way of persecuting Christ. Paul went after the followers of Christ to persecute them when the Spirit of God arrested him. The book of Acts 9:1-2 documented, “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” Saul (Paul) was full of threats and murder agenda against the disciples of the Lord. He had the permission from the high priest to the synagogues of Damascus to find man or woman of the Way and bind them to Jerusalem. Interestingly, he lost sight and became surrendered unto Jesus.
Saul (Paul) was a serious-minded persecutor of the followers of Christ as he went outside of his area looking for followers of Christ to persecute. Saul’s mission to Damascus encountered the power he surrendered to. From persecutor to a propagator of the kingdom of God’s business became the identity of Paul (Saul). Without doubt, no man under the heaven is above God’s redirection. God’s direction will reverse the irreversible. Saul’s persecution agenda brought him to Damascus when, “…suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.” (Acts 9:3) It was in this light that Saul (Paul) encountered Jesus and with no choice for him but to surrender. Saul (Paul) did not only tremble but requested from the Lord of what to do for the Lord.
Bible recorded Saul’s surrender, “Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” (Acts 9:8-9) After Saul’s surrender to Christ, Saul (Paul) gained a new sight; he took steps to serve God; Saul answered to a new name (Paul). God will put you to surrender at His time. Man can run but not able to hide for the only Creator of man. God will arrest man at His time and in His own way.

Prayer for today: Ask God for a gracious surrender to serve for His glory.