What do you do when someone you love makes a decision that
could lead to harm or even worse? Someone called this week and told me they
were in that situation. The caller asked for advice. God put two options into
my mind. One: ask God to prevent that person from doing what they planned. Or
two: ask God to use it for good, protecting the person who made that choice, but
also to use that decision to transform their life.
This morning I realized that both options show up in the
story of Paul’s conversion.
“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.” (Acts 26:9–11)
This man had decided
God wanted him to stop the spread of Christianity. He was violent as he put
them in jail and gave the thumbs up for their death. But God stopped him. Was
he convicted of his sinful actions by the death of Stephen when he said,
“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and
the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Perhaps, but this seemed
to fuel his rage rather than bother him.
Consider the scene: the Jews were enraged, ground their
teeth at Stephen, cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed
together at him. They cast him out of the city and stoned him. These laid down
their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul (Paul). And as they were
stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a
loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin
against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved
of his execution. (Acts 7:56–8:1)
If Stephen’s death or request that his executioners be
forgiven didn’t poke at Paul, something bothered him. Later passages indicate
he was feeling the elbow of God even as he persecuted others. Some verses say Jesus
asked him why he persisted in resisting an inner sense of wrong-doing.
Whatever was going on in Paul’s heart, it took a dramatic
encounter with Jesus Christ to stop him, yet he did stop. This shows me the
power of God to prevent harm. Some of His people were jailed and killed, but
God intervened and stopped Paul — option one!
His story also shows me that God can use even bad
decisions for good. What Paul was doing wrong later became an important part of
his testimony. He could talk to Jews who had that same attitude toward
Christians as he had, giving him a connection with them even as they were
persecuting him! He said to them:
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.” (Acts 22:3–5)
This part of Paul’s story gives me instruction. When I
talk to those who oppose Christianity, rather than trying to convince them by
apologetics or any teaching that refutes their position, why not tell them
about the days when I thought the same thoughts? They are skeptical. Haven’t I
also been skeptical? They are doubting, even mocking Christian beliefs. Have I
also doubted and mocked? Isn’t there the same resentments and fears, arguments
and attitudes in me? Option two: God, use it for good.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lord Jesus, You show me that You can stop people from
doing wrong. Thank You. You also show me how Paul used his past sinfulness as a
bridge to connect with sinners. Not all his efforts were successful, but some
listened. How many would listen if he had chosen a ‘holier than thou’ approach —
which is such a turn-off? Therefore, when I pray that You will use the
questionable decisions of others for good, I better be prepared to share how
You has done that very thing in my own life. Far better to let them know about
Your grace and mercy than to boast about my successes. Amen!
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