Saul seemed like an unlikely person for Jesus to choose as an apostle and messenger of the Gospel. A devout Jew, Saul was deeply committed to the Jewish law and believed he was protecting his faith from what he considered heresy. In his zeal he persecuted followers of Jesus and caused them great suffering. Yet Jesus radically transformed Saul’s life. The man who once persecuted Christians became Paul, a devoted follower of Christ who would proclaim the gospel and eventually suffer persecution himself because of his faith.
What can Saul’s transformation teach us about following Jesus?
Saul: An Unlikely Person for Jesus to Choose
Why would God choose Saul to present the very Gospel that drove him to persecute and even execute early Christians? Paul understood that God had set him apart from the time of his birth. However, it was on the Damascus road that God actually brought Saul, whom he had already chosen, to salvation. Galatians 1:15-16
In what ways was Paul well prepared for God’s calling on his life?
- He was fluent in the Greek language, culture and literature which enabled him to relate to the Greeks (Gentiles).
- He was a Roman citizen which entitled him to legal protections allowing him protection that enabled him to present his message.
- He was very intelligent and he was able to expound on critical matters of Christian doctrine.
But how would Saul, so dedicated to his Jewish faith, ever choose to follow Jesus when he was so active in causing suffering of his followers?
If anyone seemed unlikely to become a follower of Christ, it was Saul.
God Had a Purpose for Saul
Saul genuinely believed he was protecting God’s law by violently persecuting the early Christian church – until he had a personal encounter with Jesus. This encounter changed his life and his purpose!
Likewise, God knows us, created us, and desires to work through our lives for His purposes. Sadly, many people don’t understand what their purpose in life is. And perhaps that is because they haven’t yet had an encounter with Jesus.
Jesus Transformed Saul
Acts 9 begins by telling us that Saul was on a campaign to imprison as many Christians as possible, both men and women. He had the necessary letters of authority from the high Priests to carry out his plans. As Saul was nearing Damascus, he was confronted by the risen Christ and brought face to face with the truth of the gospel. Then a light from heaven flashed around him. As he fell to the ground he heard a voice-
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” and Saul said? “Who are you Lord?” I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…. Acts 9:3-6
Then Jesus gave Saul his first mission – “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” When Saul opened his eyes he was blind and was led by the hand into Damascus.
Three days later, God intervened in a vision to a godly man named Ananias and instructed him to go to Saul to restore his sight. Ananias questioned the Lord about this instruction as he knew that Saul’s mission was to arrest as many Christians as possible. The Lord’s response was – “Go! Saul is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles.”
Saul Surrenders to the Lord and Begins a Transformed Life
Since his life-changing encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road, Saul was seeking the Lord in prayer and had also received a vision of Ananias coming to him to restore his sight.
So Ananias went to Saul and laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, Saul’s sight was restored and he got up and was baptized.
The Transformed Saul Becomes Paul
When his ministry to the Gentiles began, he was often referred to as Paul.
While in Damascus, Saul spent some time with the believers and began to teach in the synagogue to tell the Jews about Jesus Christ. Saul’s arguments were powerful because he was a brilliant scholar. But what was even more convincing was his changed life. The man who once tried to destroy the church became the man who devoted his life to proclaiming the Gospel. He thought he was pursuing heretics, but he was persecuting Jesus himself.
Now Saul faced a new reality, he became one of the persecuted.
Jesus told Ananias:
“For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” — Acts 9:16
What Does Saul's Transformation mean for us?
Paul’s calling at birth is a great encouragement to all of us. We are not just random human beings without eternal purpose. We know from Psalm 139:16 and other Bible references that God knows every one of us before we are ever born and He has a purpose for our lives! It is God’s desire to lead us and He will do that when we acknowledge Him and seek Him. Proverbs 3:5-6
God’s will for our lives is that we are 
transformed into His likeness. This is an ongoing process as we seek and submit to His will for our lives. 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:10; Galatians 2:20;
Jesus Transforms How We Live
And that transformation may lead us into circumstances we would never have chosen—including suffering for our faith as it did for Saul.
Jesus can radically transform a life and give it a new purpose. Following Him may not always be easy, but we can trust Him with the life He has called us to live.
The question is – are we willing to follow Jesus, have Him transform our life and perhaps even suffer for our faith?
Following Jesus When It Costs Us
Transformation doesn’t mean life becomes easier. It means our lives now belong to Christ. Saul’s encounter with Jesus didn’t merely change his beliefs; it changed the direction of his entire life – and that new direction included suffering. Paul’s suffering demonstrates that following Jesus can be costly, but Paul continued because Christ was worth following. 2 Timothy 1-8-12
Importantly, Scripture teaches that nothing can separate us from the love of God and that enduring suffering can be part of sharing the Good News of Christ. Romans 8:38-39; 2 Timothy 2:8-10
As we are continually being transformed, may we patiently and lovingly live our lives so that those around us will see Christ in us and be drawn to know our Lord and Savior and also be transformed!
Prayer of Response:
Father, God, thank you that you are a loving and just God and you have such a love for us that you have given us life on purpose, and for, a purpose. Your great love desires for us to know you and be transformed by you. Father, help us who desire to follow you, to be faithful even when it is difficult, so that your great purpose for our lives will be accomplished.
Its in Jesus name we pray, Amen
