Many of you that have read the bible know the story of Saul to Paul. He was one the most vigorous pursuers and persecutors of Christians. He stood and watched as Stephan was stoned to death. Then one day on Damascus Road Jesus opened Saul’s eyes to His glory. He was from that point forever changed, so much so his name was changed to Paul. It was a struggle at first for the early Christians to understand I am sure. How could the man that wanted to see us fall more than any other now be one of our biggest spreaders of the word? They were eventually able to forgive him. Praise God for that. He went on to spread the word to the Gentiles. That just so happens to be us. Without them forgiving him and not trying to avenge many of us may not have known God’s glory. So as you can see forgiveness is a big deal.
How many of you have had someone in your life that you feel would just not give you a break? No matter what you did how you tried to stay away from them they found you. You hear people say you need to be able to forgive everyone. In your head though you feel they just do not understand, if they did they would not ask you to forgive. Why would someone ask you to forgive the person who has no remorse for you?
I think that when we have those kinds of thoughts we forget how God forgave us when we had no remorse for our actions to him. Through forgiveness comes deliverance. Paul was able to step into the greatest God had for him through greatness. You never know the plan that God has for that person you think is unforgiveable. Through loving that person like Ananias did Paul you may open the door for one of the greatest spreaders of God’s word. That person may go on to use their past and what God shows them to bring so many into the kingdom.
We know the weight that God’s forgiveness carried for us. We may never know the weight that our forgiveness for another person may have. So it may seem like the hardest thing to do. It could also be the thing that brings God the most Glory. If we are true followers of Christ should that not be what we want the most? You know who could go from a Saul to Paul!!
