Grace Given

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

I am not sure just how much of the grace given to Saul helped transform him into Paul. I am sure that being called brother, being welcomed into the fold, even before that laying on of hands, might have had some impact. Being welcomed into the fellowship of believers can be very impactful. Do not make lite of a heart felt welcome, it is very important, especially in today’s church.

These are the Godly emotions upon which the Lord builds the bonds of faith, peace, and love. God can and does use our emotions to motivate us. It is not a manipulation, it is an understanding of our condition, and those things which lead to obedience of faith.

I have of late witnessed a number of times when men have attributed human emotions to God. I do not agree with it. I believe God is above petty emotions as we express them, but I do believe God understands them.

Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

The Lord has just given Ananias instructions to go and heal Saul. Of what value is verse 16 in reference to obedience of faith by Ananias? None. The Lord did not have to say this to Ananias in order to invoke His will in this matter. Telling Ananias to go and do should have been enough.

In my human condition, in my emotions, trying to quell the voices shouting in my head; no, no, this is a dangerous man, I hear something rather human. It is based on emotions, of which fear is a strong one in the moment. I hear myself thinking, “Well if you are going to make him suffer, let’s get on with it then.”

That’s petty, but it is a real emotion. One that is discovered only because of verse 16.

Second Lesson

Acts 9:10-14 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

In Saul’s present condition of turmoil, he reverts back to what he knows best. Saul prays. The Lord’s first answer is in the familiar. He gave a man who believes in visions, a vision. The Lord gave Saul what he would receive because Saul believed in visions. In that vision He showed Saul two things that were not part of his belief system.

The first was that the Lord would use an ordinary man of no reputation to perform a miracle. Saul knew nothing of the anointing of the Holy Spirit among the common people. His experience said only those who dedicated their lives from an early age could be found worthy by proven performance. Why would the Lord anoint a commoner? This Saul would have to discover for himself.

Secondly, this man Ananias would have been one of the people Saul sought to kill. How is it that the Lord should choose a potential victim to be his healer? Paul was about to receive mercy without reason, forgiveness without cause, and see faith that ruled over fear.