Saul, Herod and the High Priest

Right after Jesus rose from the dead and then ascended into the clouds, none of these men were saved. If each died at that moment, their future would have been the Lake of Fire.

Saul was in fact soon to set about persecuting Christians. He was on the same team as Herod, and the High Priest. Yet, Saul, on his way to put folks in jail, gets knocked of his High horse, by God Himself.

He had an encounter with Jesus Christ. He didn't sit and analyze the evidence for Christ. He didn't call out in desperation to know if it was true. He didn't spend time with the saved captives to hear their side. No, he was completely focused on his work to please God...by making these blasphemous followers of the Way, captives.

He was chosen. Like it says in scripture for all who believe. Saul was picked by God before time began.

Herod wasn't. The High Priest wasn't. All of them studied the scriptures. All of them wanted to be right with God. All of them thought, as was commonly taught, that they could be good enough. Zeal, showed it. Zeal for the righteousness of God. They really though by ending blasphemers that God would approve.

He didn't.

He never will.

God picked Saul and renamed him Paul. He was chosen to see the truth, to be given the gift of faith. He also was given that gift in a memorable way.

God chooses. Salvation is a gift He gives. It is not earned, deciphered, figured out, or worked for in any way.

It IS a gift.

Understanding this, can only move the reciever to a place of humility. A place where you have an attitude closer to "survivors guilt" than a "better than others" one. A heart that sees what they were given, and wants nothing more than to see others recieve it as well, even if that person is like Hitler.

Yes, even if...

Grace, is what we got. Grace, as the Word says, is what we should give.

In fact, it also says if we don't give it, it is likely, we don't have it.

1 John 4:20

[20] If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Sure, you could say "but my brothers are those who follow God!" This is true, however, Saul, who became Paul was chosen from before he was born. Paul was a brother, just not yet. Like us, he always was in God's eyes.

It isn't wise to play God and judge others as worthless. Even those who reject God, are made in His image, and part of His plan. God's grace should shine on everyone.

Love is kind.

Do you reflect God's kindness?

Do you understand His grace to you?

Or, do you use your pride to somehow assume a decision, wisdom, or goodness, was the catalyst for you receiving God's grace?

If you do, I can sadly assure you...you have not recieved it yet, and you are currently no different than Saul, Herod and the High Priest.