What would you do if Osama bin Laden suddenly showed up in your town?
Imagine if he started shouting around your neighborhood, "I had a vision. I saw Jesus and heard His voice. I became blind--literally--but was healed. My life is changed! I'm not the guy I was before--I'm so sorry for the things I've done. I believe in Him now."
Holy cow.
To be honest, I don't think I'd trust him. I would call the FBI. I would be afraid--I mean, the guy has been responsible for the deaths of many innocent people. He hates Christians.
Obviously, this situation isn't real...or is it?
In Acts chapter 8, "Osama" was Saul--a Jewish guy who hated Christians so much that he hunted them down. He sought to kill them. He did kill them. But one day, he met Jesus on the road and was drastically transformed.
Some of the disciples were skeptical and afraid--they experienced the same reaction I would if this happened with Osama today. Some of Saul's former cronies tried to kill him after he believed in Jesus and started preaching around various cities.
After awhile, no one would doubt the validity of the change in Saul--so drastic that his name is changed (to Paul). The guy who murdered Christians becomes the world's most famous preacher--and risks his own life to tell the story of Jesus.
Though it's from another section of today's reading (these chapters include lots of great stories and text!), I thought Peter's words in this passage also applied to Saul...and anyone else...who has been changed by the power of God:
"It's God's own truth, nothing could be plainer:
God plays no favorites!
It makes no difference who you are
or where you're from—
if you want God
and are ready to do as he says,
the door is open.
The Message he sent to the children of Israel—
that through Jesus Christ
everything is being put together again—
well, he's doing it everywhere, among everyone..."
Tomorrow: Acts 11-13
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