Decision Time
Saul, being a religous man, thought he was doing the will of God by stoning Christians. He found out later that this could not possibly be the will of God, because God is GRACE.
By Roman law, Saul deserved to die for his actions, but by God's grace, Saul became "Paul", and new creature in Christ. God took someone, who in our eyes was an evil man, and turned his life around and led him to become one of the best New Testament Ministers.
I wonder how we would have accepted his speaking if we had been one of the relatives of those put to death. Would we be considering God and His grace and looking at what God was doing in this man's life? Or would we be asking the question, "How can God use someone so evil?"
What if all that was left of a family was the mother? A particular wife and mother stood and watched as Saul ordered her husband to be stoned to death, if he would not denounce Jesus as the Son of God. Her husband stood firm and lost his life.
Her children were next in line. She so badly wanted to step in, but she knew that Christ had a plan. They stood before a sinful audience who were there just for pleasure, and once again had to stand and watch in agony as one by one of her children died for Jesus.
She almost could not stand, she thought it was more than she could bare. All at once, all she could do was stand and stare, because there in front were her only grandchildren. She began to cry and pray, "No God! Not these too! They haven't even lived their lives yet; don't take them from me so soon!" But all she could do was remain there and watch as they also gave their lives that day.
Her turn was next, but then something happened. The crowd that was standing all around quickly ran away. She was left there standing all alone and she cried out to God once again. "God, Why? I was ready to go. I don't want to be left here all alone!"
But God spoke softly to her and said, "I have a plan. You need to forgive these men you've seen here before you today. They do not understand; they do not know what they are doing."
Years go by and she is still alone, but in her heart she knows that whatever it is that God wants her to do, she is able, she is ready, and she is willing.
On a day during a very lonely hour, she heard a great preacher would be coming through her town. She knew she needed strength and some answers from God,. She was up early and was the first in line, when to her surprise she saw the very man who had caused her such pain. This was her time; she didn't have to put her life on the line, but that very day she had to decide. God was asking her if she could give up everything for Him. It would've been easier if He would've just asked her to give up her life, just like He had asked of her family on that unforgettable night. But no, He wanted her to give up her anger and hate toward this man who had brought to her such an unforgiveable pain. What would her decision be? Could she forgive him, and accept that God was using this man who she considered to be evil? Or would she have to walk away?
WHAT WOULD YOUR DECISION BE?
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