Traitor
Reading and Commenting on the Book of Acts
Read Acts 9:23-25
Life can be a confusing journey. One day you believe something with great certainty and then you come to a completely different conclusion. It can happen over time or it can happen in an instant.
Saul’s experience was in an instant and it was life changing. Once he was a friend and a leader among the Jewish people and now he was a traitor, all because of Jesus. He thought Jesus was dead and his followers foolish. Once he was trying to harass, arrest, and kill Christians and now he was one of them. He switched sides!
Three years after meeting the resurrected Christ, he found himself trying to escape the murderous plot set by the unbelieving Jews and other political leaders in Damascus (Galatians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33). Being lowered down from the city walls in a basket at night, he left for Jerusalem to face another challenge.
What I love about Saul/Paul is his amazing dedication. What I love about God is his amazing power to change even the most dedicated from one way to another.
What happens when God gets hold of your life?
You become a traitor just like Saul did! You might have noticed the world is not kind to traitors.
To become a follower of Jesus, you may have to become a traitor in the eyes of some. It may be a certain religious group that is teaching incorrect doctrine. It may also include being rejected by some or all of your loved ones. It may even include a threat upon your physical life!
One thing is for certain. To follow Jesus, you must travel light. If you try to hold on to things, positions, status, and relationships contrary to the path of Christ, it will bring only misery. Saul/Paul is a good example for us all. One thing he did right is that he did ONE THING. Either we center our lives on Christ or we attempt to do the impossible, to ask Christ to share his throne. It won’t happen.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever believed something with all your heart and then later change your mind? If so, what caused this to happen?
Have you ever felt like a traitor? If so, did you change sides for the right reason?
If you are not following Christ with your whole heart, can you identify why this is so?
