“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
TEXT — Acts 9:10-22
Message
Have you ever thought of God turning a fearsome enemy into a precious friend, an adversary into an advocate, a critic into a comrade, or a persecutor into a preacher? This is the story of Paul the apostle, formerly named Saul. It is often pretty easy to believe that an intimate disciple, like Judas, can become a deadly betrayer. But we need to remember that a deadly persecutor can also become a great ally and partner in the cause of Christ. That’s the kind of power God has.
Born in Tarsus in Cilicia to a Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin, Paul, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, was taught by Gamaliel. He grew to become a Pharisee himself, with unquenchable zeal for Judaism. His persecution against the church, which he did in ignorance, knew no limits, for he consented to the stoning of Stephen, jailed many Christians, threatened, beat, and voted to have believers put to death, and forced many to compromise.
However, during one of such persecutions, having secured permission to travel to Damascus to capture Christians and bring them to Jerusalem, God arrested him on the way. This encounter changed his life’s direction, devotion, and destination, and he was commissioned to become a chosen vessel — a vessel of honour, a vessel of mercy, an earthen, sanctified and worthy vessel. He then found the reason for living and dying and became sold out for Christ.
In Paul, we see the majestic power of God’s saving grace, which transforms despite one’s deeds, desires, and defiance. Paul had a religion but lacked redemption; he also had service without salvation and honour without hope. Like Saul, when we give our lives to Christ, we also become His chosen vessels (John 15:16; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:9). Today, are you willing to allow God to do the same for you?
Thought for the day
You will never know all He can do with you until you allow Him to have all of you!
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
I’m a chosen vessel unto honor
I am the Chosen Vessel of JEHOVAH. Amen in Jesus Name, AMEN!.