Pursuing Holiness- Part 40

Our past will not determine our ability to walk in Holiness!

Without question, the greatest enemy of The Way was Saul of Tarsus.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 9:

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Saul was determined to eradicate all Christians from Israel.  He was on a mission but that was about to change!

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a brilliant light shone around him from Heaven.

This brilliant light was greater than the noonday sun.  Saul closed his eyes.

4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

When someone is addressed by the repetition of their name, this is an intensely personal and intimate call.  Some will attempt to use this means of addressing someone even though they are not an intimate friend.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 7:

21  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the Will of My Father in Heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!‘ 

One cannot walk in Holiness and at the same time practice lawlessness.

Jesus also spoke in Luke chapter 6:

46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:

48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

You can talk the talk but if you don’t walk the walk, you will suffer great loss.

Back in Acts chapter 9:

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

This term “Lord” spoken here, is the salutation of supremacy.

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

This passage in Acts chapter 9 is a clear indication that our past does not determine our future… thankfully!  Be of good cheer, Our Heavenly Father will use whoever responds to HIS Call and HE will make the necessary changes for our calling to be fruitful.

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