So Much For “Free Will”

Read: Acts 9:1-19

God Pursues Us, and Calls Us to Himself (Saul Part 2)

Maybe God is not as concerned with “free will” as some might think he is. The truth is that GOD PURSUES US even when we are VIOLENTLY opposed to him. In no place is this clearer than here in the life of Saul: “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.” (v.1-3) This was in no way Saul “picking Jesus” or “choosing to follow”. This was no “altar call” for Saul where Jesus stood up front and pleaded with him and others to make their way down an aisle. This was utterly disruptive. This was “rude”, so to speak. This was without concern for Saul’s ideas or plan… or even his comfort. No… Christ pursues Saul while he is opposed to him and calls him to himself. This is what the genuine “intrusion” of Jesus looks like in our life… blinding… disorienting… causing us to have to walk in faith and lean into those around us who can “see” so that we can make it to the next step.

If you are reading these words right now, it is fair to say that God has been coming after you for a long time… even before you ever realized it. Look at what the scriptures say:

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with (Jesus), having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This God set aside, nailing it to the cross with Christ.” (Col. 2:13-14)

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” (Eph. 2:4-5)

“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by Jesus’ blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” (Rom. 5:9-10)

God loves you deeply. He draws near to you… even when you do not draw near to him! Jesus will not always be gentle though. There is a time and place to be “struck blind”… knocked to the ground… stopped in your tracks. The work of Christ is like this… powerful… impactful… far-reaching. Jesus is not going to be easily assimilated into OUR plans. Jesus is not willing to just sit back and let you walk down your own road… to follow uninterrupted on your path towards Damascus. This is a good thing. It is not always comfortable or easy… but it is good. What are some of the ways Jesus has “disrupted” your life? Have you been making plans, and are about to set out down the road without having ever consulted with Christ? He just might meet you in the midst of your journey with “stunning light from heaven”. Remember that our confidence has always been rooted in how tightly God holds on to us, NOT how tightly we hold on to God. God sought you out, even when you were his enemy. How much more will he draw near when you WANT him to!?! If you have been running away from him… come back! You may be surprised that he is right behind you… because he has been following you all along. Thank goodness that Jesus does not leave it up to an “alter call”. Thank the Lord that Jesus is willing to be “rude” and disrupt our feeble plans to “blast us blind” with his goodness and call us to himself. You can run, but you can’t hide! Lol. Love you guys. - JDP