The story of Paul is the story of a leader who is seeking a purpose to live for and a cause to fight for. Paul is a powerful Bible character! After pursuing the oppression and imprisonment of Christians throughout the region His miraculous encounter with the risen Jesus literally brings him to his knees. God leads him to another believer, Ananias, who is tasked with making him ready for his new mission in life - leading people to Jesus far and wide.

One of the many surprising parts of this story is when Ananias questions God regarding the validity of the faith of the person who we now know would become the most influential Christian leader in history! In what seems to be a case of scepticism and self-preservation Ananias questions why he has been called to help an essentially bad man who may end up imprisoning him if he helps him as God has directed him to.

Even well-intentioned Christians can become so convinced that God only works with “the good guys” that we forget that Jesus is not only a lover of his enemies, but powerful enough to turn his enemies into the most ardent supporters of his worldwide mission of life. While we can easily count people out due to their previous or present hatred of God, Jesus is always looking to count people in.

Like Paul, many aggressive enemies of God believe they are doing right and are seeking a deeper purpose in life and a “cause worth fighting for”. It’s not until they encounter the truth and power of Jesus that they realise they have been fighting for a lesser cause all their life.

When anyone comes to this point we need to not be surprised or afraid but to celebrate their faith and aid their faith and health in whatever way we can. A commitment to accepting even past enemies of Jesus in this way ensures that today’s atheists have a chance to become tomorrow’s Christian leaders.

Do you know anyone who is aggressively against God? They could be a friend, a colleague or a family member. Be assured that Jesus came for his enemies - those who actively fight against him and his followers.

Write down their name below and pray that God may miraculously shine His light in their life and bring them to a new cause to fight for.

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Acts 9:1-19
9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.