“THE WAY!”

 Acts 9:1-9                                (ESV)

The Conversion of Saul

“[1] But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest [2] and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to “THE WAY”, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. [4] And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?” [5] And he said, “Who are you, LORD?” And HE said, “I am JESUS, WHOM you are persecuting. [6] But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” [7] The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. [8] Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. [9] And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

The Apostle Paul was previously known (until Acts 13:9) by the name Saul, that is until THE LORD transformed his life FOR HIS GLORY!  As a matter of fact, the chapter of Acts 9 begins with “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to THE WAY, men or women, HE MIGHT BRING THEM BOUND TO JERUSALEM”.  Saul was INTENT on destroying “THE WAY”, that is until his EYES were OPENED and TRUTH was revealed in his life! 

In John 14:6 JESUS said to him (Thomas), “I AM “THE WAY”, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME.”  Now in Acts 9 THE CHURCH is being referred to by “this world” as “THE WAY”.  I have explained many times that GOD does NOT work in coincidences!  GOD does WHAT HE PLEASES (Psalms 115:3; 135:6) and HE doesn’t need my help to hurry along what HE decrees!  Far too many times I am convinced that I “know” what GOD has planned, only to discover that HE might have a “time out” planned for my future?!?

Saul “thought” he was doing the “right thing” by arresting and persecuting members of “THE WAY”.  But it wasn’t until his EYES were OPENED to TRUTH that HE was able to clearly SEE “THE WAY” forward!  In Acts 9:1 he was operating “in the fast lane”, but by Acts 9:9 “for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” 

Isn’t it AMAZING how when JESUS intervenes in our lives that our perspective completely changes?  Saul almost immediately went from being a “persecutor” to being the “persecuted”!  His “choice” of direction in his life, his compass, was TOTALLY and COMPLETELY altered!  Being able to SEE “THE WAY” meant being led by THE SPIRIT, not by his limited wisdom!  GOD has to OPEN OUR EYES, and we have to WAIT ON THE LORD, to be able to SEE “THE WAY”!?!