“I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18).
In these words from Jesus to Paul, at the beginning of his ministry, we can see what the good news is designed to impart to those who believe. The first experience of a believer is the insight that comes with a revelation of Jesus. We see things the way they really are. We see ourselves honestly and know that we need God’s help. We want x-rays before surgery. We would be crazy to allow surgery unless we know something has to be cut out. We will never be converted until we realize we are terminally ill.
We also see Jesus as He really is. That means that we become aware of the fact that He has enough power to change our lives and make us what we long to be. He alone can bring forgiveness because He alone has taken the punishment we deserve for the sins we’ve committed. When we see Him we see the one who can, literally, send our sin away. That means we can live our lives free from guilt and condemnation.
On our part, we turn from the old systems of religion that have produced guilt and condemnation. That was Paul’s experience and that’s what he advised for others. We turn from religious performance to Jesus and His guidance. One of Paul’s first requests of Christ was, “What will you have me do?” (Acts 22:10). We are not only forgiven but we are given a satisfying purpose in life.
That new purpose is to help others find what we have found. Paul spent the rest of his life sharing the good news he had discovered on the road to Damascus. His obedience to Jesus was immediate. Luke described his conversion and made that clear. “At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). What Jesus asked of Paul he asks of each of us. Take the light that opened your eyes and share it with others so they can also see. What do we want them to see? Jesus! The power to change comes only from Him.
