“HOW MUCH EVIL!”

Acts 9:13-19                                      (ESV)

“13 But Ananias answered, "LORD, I have heard from many about this man (Saul), “HOW MUCH EVIL” he has done to YOUR saints at Jerusalem.

14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on YOUR name."

15 But the LORD said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of MINE to carry MY name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name."

17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the LORD JESUS who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT."

18 And IMMEDIATELY something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;

19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”

The Biblical account the conversion AND TRANSFORMATION of the Apostle Paul is something of which I never tire.  Saul, as he was formerly known, had a reputation for being a brutal man, one who would “persecute” Believers, simply because the Believed.  Apparently Ananias had heard “HOW MUCH EVIL” that Saul had inflicted upon Believers and he wasn’t real keen about personally being adding to Saul’s list of victims.  

Now I’ve never been one who “persecuted” others because of their beliefs, or have I?  When someone disagreed with my understanding of what the Bible said, have I allowed them to “be wrong”?  Or did I avoid them like a leper afraid that their understanding (or misunderstanding?) of Scripture would affect my standing before a HOLY GOD?  

Saul was known for “HOW MUCH EVIL” he had done, but JESUS revealed HIMSELF to Saul and eventually changed his name to Paul.  Changing his name was a minute part of the transformation process, JESUS changed his entire lifestyle, his way of “living”!  ONLY JESUS can cause such a tremendous change in our lives.  Although I think of Paul as a tremendous warrior for the LORD, he thought otherwise.  In 1 Timothy 1:15 he wrote “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, OF WHOM I AM THE FOREMOST”.  When he observed his life, Paul saw his weaknesses, but JESUS saw HIS reflection in Paul, and it pleased HIM.  

Although I am not even in the same chapter as Paul was with my obedience, the same JESUS should be reflecting in my life as I serve HIM.  Whether I am “right” or “wrong” in my beliefs will not make a difference at the Judgement.  All that will matter is whether I have Believed in JESUS, for ONLY HE can convert “HOW MUCH EVIL” I have done into something HE can use for HIS Glory!!!