"The Conversion of Paul!" (Acts 9:1-19) Part Two

When a sinner is converted by God, there will be inevitable marks of conversion! In other words, if you were ever put on trial for claiming to be a Christ follower, there should be evidence to convict you! Before a sinner becomes a saint, he or she must first see themselves as sinners! Conviction of sin in a person's life is evidence of being converted. Let's go back to what Luke says about Paul's conversion. Luke says, Saul "fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Acts 9:4). Here we see Jesus' concern for Saul. Our Lord knew why Saul was persecuting Him! He didn't ask this question because He didn't know the answer! Christ wanted Saul to consider what he was doing! The needed conviction is about to come! Saul didn't know why he was persecuting the Lord, because he did not know the Lord! He needed to be convicted of his sin. Saul thought he was zealous for the Lord, but in reality, he was persecuting the Lord Himself! In Acts 22:9, we're told that Saul's companions "did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking." They heard the voice, but couldn't understand it. Saul must've been shocked and confused when he answered, "Who are You, Lord?" (Acts 9:5). Saul realized that it was God who was speaking, however he was not prepared for these words, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9:5). In his book, James Boice says it best with these words, "God spoke, and God was Jesus" (Acts [Baker], pg. 151). Concerning Saul, Luke tells us, "And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank" (Acts 9:9). Saul's encounter with God changed him!! He was deeply convicted by what the Lord told him! The conviction had to come in order for Saul to see the terrible situation he was in! Prior to this event, he had not seen himself as a sinner in need of God's rescue. Saul needed to become aware of his own sinfulness! It's the same for every one of us! We may not share the dramatic conversion that Saul did, but God has to convict us of our sin and our desperate need for Jesus! While Saul was still dead in his trespasses and sins, the powerful words of Jesus broke into his life and changed him! While speaking about the shallow conversions of his time, Charles Haddon Spurgeon remarked, "Today we have so many built up who were never pulled down; so many filled who were never emptied; so many exalted who were never humbled; that I the more earnestly remind you that the Holy Ghost must convince of sin, or we cannot be saved" (quoted by Murray, Revival and Revivalism [Banner of Truth], pg. 409). This writer agrees with Spurgeon! Your move. Be encouraged!