From Hater To Brother

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:10-17)

During Sunday evening's revival service at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Deirdre Brower Latz reflected on a term that reveals the astounding love of God at work in His people:

Brother Saul.

Dr. Brower Latz asked us to consider whether we, upon hearing that our enemy has come to faith in Christ, would extend the same grace as Ananias-- especially in these times. We live in a context of global terrorism. We live in a context where Christians are ridiculed, fired from their jobs, arrested, and killed as a matter of course. It was only a few days ago that several Coptic Christians were beheaded for their faith in Christ. Things are not much different now than they were in the days of the early church; we suffer greatly for the sake of the faith we hold. And, though Scripture constantly exhorts us to 'fear not', we may in fact be afraid of encountering people who have spent years filled with hate.

We were asked a difficult question on Sunday evening: What if the men who beheaded these Coptic Christians also become Christians? Will they be welcomed into Christian communities, or will they be forever ostracized because of the sins they amassed prior to encountering Christ? Scripture records the response of the faith community to Saul's conversion:

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:26-27)

I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me. (Galatians 1:22-24)

The God who saved us is the same God who saved Saul of Tarsus... and He is the same God who can save every person, even those who are currently devoted to the destruction of God's people. Can we pray that our Lord Jesus does a transforming work in the hearts of our haters, and that we reflect the love He has for every soul?

Lord God, give us the grace that You imparted to Ananias and to Barnabas. Help us to be supporters of Your plan to transform our haters into our brothers. Cause us to love them in the way that You love us.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.