GOD’S UNUSUAL CHOICE

When God chooses a man for his purposes, he throws the rulebook out of the door. The story of God choosing Paul (Saul) for his work in the early church is a demonstration of how God operates at a level that is far higher than the mind can comprehend.

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. —–As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ^{————–} But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Then Ananias went to the house —, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,and after taking some food, he regained his strength. (Acts 9:1-19)

Paul was the least likely candidate for God’s work because he was on a mission to destroy God’s work through the early church. Yet, he is stopped in his tracks and Jesus appears to him. We might think, God could have chosen somebody who was at least neutral. But he zeroes in on Paul who would then make a 180-degree turn to his life and go on from persecuting Christians to being the greatest defender of Christianity, to the extent of being persecuted for his faith.

Paul was used to operating within the physical realm and when he sees a glimpse of the spiritual reality, he is overwhelmed. The glory of God blinds him and the picture of a man who started out leading a pack of bloodthirsty men contrasts starkly with that of a blind and helpless Paul being led by his associates into Damascus. A person can be useful for God only when he is weakened to a point of total inability, so that God’s power might flow through him.

In the vision, Jesus does not waste time debating or pleading with Paul. The few words spoken are those of God commanding Paul and commissioning him for his work. It is made clear that he is a chosen instrument and that in God’s foreknowledge, Paul had a very specific and important role to play for the kingdom of God. There are no debates, no conversations, God tells him what to do, and he does it. God is at work in this world and he chooses every person in accordance with his will, pleasure and divine wisdom to advance the kingdom of God. 

God has his own mind and in Paul, he saw a willing spirit. Paul goes on to be one of the greatest architects of the Christian church.

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