The Road To Transformation

When Jesus Christ died, Christians were scattered and some went to Damascus. When Saul heard about it, he wanted to hunt them, arrest them, and bring them back to Jerusalem. But with one encounter with Jesus in the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus, transformed from being a hater of Christians, and become Paul, one of the most important figures in Christianity.

Acts 9: 3-8,17-18 (NIV)

3 As he (Saul) neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he 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.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

#1 ENCOUNTER LEADS TO TRANSFORMATION (v3-8)

When Saul was chasing after the followers of Christ, he was encountered by Jesus. (In verse 3 to 4), a light from heaven flashed around him. – Saul was confronted by a display of God’s glory.

Often times, Jesus wants to encounter us in every moment of your life. He wants to encounter us not just when we are in the church or when we are doing church ministry. Just like what happened to Saul, Jesus also wants to encounter us even in our madness, or in our weirdness, even in our sinfulness.

Jesus is just on a look out, waiting to encounter us. Encounter Jesus, through your prayers, quiet time, LG, etc. Listen to him, be humble, and obey. And that will bring transformation in your life.

#2 TRANSFORMATION IS AN INSIDE JOB (v8,17-18)

Jesus’ restoration of Paul’s eye sight, is more than a physical healing. It was a healing from the inside. There was a changed in Paul’s heart. None of us can overcome our sins and shortcomings without the help of the Holy Spirit. It is only by the work of the Holy Spirit we can be transformed.

Romans 8:13 (NIV) - 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Let the power of the Holy Spirit work in you. Admit that without him your eyes and ears will stay shut, your heart will remain hard, and you will not see fruits.

Only Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can transform us from the inside.