What an amazing conversion of Saul! He was a fearful foe to contend with. Even Ananias was concerned that Paul might bring him harm. God tells him that He has chosen Paul to be His voice to the Gentiles, leaders and Jews. Even though he wrote most of the New Testament, Paul would say later on in his life that he was the chief of sinners. His salvation is a great encouragement to any lost sinner, as Paul, who was arresting people could be saved, anyone could. For he discovered on that road to Damascus that he was a lost sinner in danger of judgement from God. Like each and every one of us, he needed a Saviour. Jesus personally revealed Himself as the One who Paul was persecuting. This had to come as quite a shock that this Jesus he had heard about was alive! In lieu of all his learning and memorisation of the Law, he was spiritually blind. He needed God to reveal the spiritual to him. Like many, he stumbled over the Cross of Christ. (1 Corinthians 1: 23 AMP We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense). Even today, many can’t get past the cross. There is no other way to salvation. He is the only way given for us to be saved. Many think their own righteousness will be sufficient. Like Paul they think their religion or works (what they do ‘for’ God) will be enough.
