Penetrated by the Gospel

Last week we saw Paul converted in the early verses of chapter 9. What an amazing thing God did in his life, in the words of Newton, stopping him in his wild career*. This week we take up the story in Acts 9:19-31, and see Paul, immediately, begin preaching and declaring the excellencies of Christ! Paul has been penetrated by the reality of the Gospel and cannot hold it in. This good news must be shared!

We are going to unpack the early years of Saul/Paul's transformation in much more detail on Sunday, but I wanted to reflect for a moment on the urgency that Paul displays. In Philippians 3:13, 14, Paul talks about his experience with this Gospel, saying that it is not something that he took a hold of, but rather something that has taken hold of him. As a prisoner to grace, he cannot keep silent. He must invite others. As he put it to the Corinthians, the love of Christ controls (compels) him to share the good news (cf. 2 Cor 5:14).

I have to confess, I don't always have the same urgency that Paul displays. I am often dragged along by the tyranny of work, family, chores, etc... But even as I sit typing this evening, I sense a fresh welling of the grace of the Spirit reminding me that there is still opportunity. Reminding me that God's purposes will prevail, despite my frequent lack of passion. Reminding me that I am loved and cherished in the Beloved. Reminding me that it is the Spirt's great joy to incorporate me into his purposes and to give me everything I need to accomplish the task he gives me.

This is my prayer for Christ Church. That collectively we would confess that it is not we who have taken hold of Christ, but rather it is He who has graciously gathered us into a wild embrace and filled us with his love. And it is this love that now compels us with the same urgency as our brother Paul.