Footsteps #11

We have been discussing Paul’s conversion – his repentance, or about-turn. Repentance means a change of mind and direction. But the whole Bible is about this. Genesis starts with dark chaos. The Spirit of God moves and we have creation. Our lives are chaos until we allow the Spirit to move, then we have re-creation. Theologians use the words “conversion” and “regeneration” to explain what I am talking about. The first is the human experience and refers to a person’s response to the previous work of grace done by God in Christ. The second is not a person’s work either but describes what God does when a person no longer opposes the divine will. The Holy Spirit has His Bethlehem in the ‘inn’ of our hearts! It is only a seed that must be cultured by holy communing’s; through prayer, the word, fellowship, music, and worship. We must guard well the avenues of the soul and maintain the attitude of faith and surrender which invited the seed in the first place. We must remember that our old nature doesn’t die when a new one is born, but it is brought under control. It is still resident, but not president.

Paul gives us the simple answer;” So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2Cor3:18. There is no other way – to look and live, to look hard and long, to look until the looker softens, because of what they see.

Saul was led into Damascus to the House of Judas, on the street called “straight” that leads through the city. (It still has that name today). He spent the days of his blindness in self-examination and lonely seclusion. Christ and His righteousness became to Saul more than the whole world, it was everything. Ananias visited Saul and taught him the things of the gospel. Ananias prayed, Saul was healed and filled with the Spirit. He was also baptised. He began proclaiming Jesus as the Christ(Messiah.)