Richard Roberts – Second of five parts
When Jesus spoke to Paul in a blinding light on the Damascus Road, He said to him, ‘Rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me’ (Act 26:16-18).
The Lord’s purpose for Paul was very precise. It was also for his total good. I want you to notice three things about the Lord’s word of purpose to Paul.
First, the Lord calls Paul to be “a minister and a witness.” That’s the call of the Lord on each of our lives. We may not be called to preach sermons or be a pastor, but we are all called to “minister” to others ― to show the love of God to others and to help in God’s ministry through our giving, our loving, our time, our abilities. And, we are all called to be witnesses ― to tell freely what we know about the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8).
Second, the Lord doesn’t tell Paul all the specifics about what he is to say and do in his life. The Lord says to Paul – and to us, “You will be my witness about many things you have already seen, and things I will show you in the future.” Our walk with the Lord is just that – a walk. He gives us what we need to know and say and do, one day at a time, one step at a time, Jesus said. “Take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what he shall say; For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say” (Luke 12:11,12).
Third, the Lord says that Paul will be used by God to help others – to open their eyes, turn them from darkness to light, deliver them from the power of Satan – so that they might receive forgiveness and an inheritance from the Lord. Friend, that’s good news! When God reveals His purpose to you for your life, you can count on it being not only for your good, but for the good of those around you.
Trust God today to work out His good purpose in you!