Truth accompanied with compassion and forgiveness can transform hate.

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Listen to my song “The Way You Are” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Acts 9:1-2

Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.

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This Saul was quite notorious at the time to any followers of Jesus.

He was spearheading efforts to round them up and drag them back to Jerusalem in chains to be put to death.

So, naturally God chose him to be an evangelist.

What?

Well, that’s what happened.

Obviously, we don’t have to merit favor with God.

We already have favor because we are children of God!

Nobody is too far gone as to be rejected by God.

This is good news!

Note that in today’s scripture passage, the members of the original Christian community called themselves “The Way.”

Jesus had provided this community a way of life.

Not just a way but the way.

These followers knew that by living the way of Jesus that they would experience true life right now, a life full of richness in love, compassion and grace.

This way of life put no stock in possessions, power and prestige but in caring for all people and their needs equally.

Saul was transformed after a mystical encounter with the risen Christ on the way to Damascus.

However, that transformation had just begun.

It took several years of being taught by the followers of Jesus before Saul became known as Paul.

This once notorious Saul would become the famous evangelist St. Paul who would eventually be executed for being a promoter of The Way.

Thankfully, the first disciples actually practiced Jesus’ command to ‘love your enemies’ (Matthew 5:44).

Who are the Sauls of today’s world waiting to encounter Christ through you and me?

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Listen to the song of the day “The Way You Are” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!