When You Are Not Who You Thought You Were

"I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Acts 26:9; ESV)

Saul was a “Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city (Jerusalem – JHC) at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God” (Acts 22:3; NKJV). He spent his days persecuting Christians “to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women” (Acts 22:4; NKJV). Consider his words about himself and his behavior: “This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities” (Acts 26:10-11; NKJV). He did so believing himself to be a servant of the true and living God. He did so believing that He was doing the will of the great I AM.

Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9 for the purpose of shedding some light on his person and behavior. For three days Saul was “without sight, and neither ate nor drank,” thinking about what he had done “in all good conscience” (Acts 9:9; 23:1). Once Saul’s sins were washed away by the blood of the Lamb, He immediately “preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20; NKJV).

When you realize you are not who you thought you were, there is only one thing to do: Change! Saul explained to King Agrippa that he “was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:19-20; NKJV). When Saul realized that he was not who he thought he was he changed. He turned. He repented.

Saul changed “having obtained help from God” (Acts 26:22; NKJV). Help is available for you too! Saul obtained mercy, grace, and love (1 Timothy 1:13-14). Mercy, grace, and love are available for you too! The mercy Saul of Tarsus received serves “as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:16; NKJV). Like Saul, you can change. Like Saul, you can obtain mercy, grace, and love. Like Saul, you can be a living example for others.
Allow Jesus to shed some light on your person and behavior. If you are not who you thought you were, submit to His loving help and change! Become the person He knows you can be by His grace: “But by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10; NKJV).

Jason Cicero