Acts 26:17-18 “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

I don’t think God could have been any clearer than this in expressing Paul’s commission to him, but it took him the rest of his life to grasp all the implications. Everywhere he went, he was God’s agent in proclaiming repentance and faith leading to salvation and sanctification. That took many forms indeed, and I’m sure that at times he wondered if he was really doing his job. However, God was faithful, and from our perspective we can see that he did the job magnificently. If we analyze this commission we see that it starts with opening people’s eyes. No one can be saved if they are unwilling to look at themselves honestly. All sorts of things make people open their eyes physically, and the same can be said of spiritual recognition. Sometimes it takes a really painful jolt, but that should never be our goal. However, splashing water in someone’s face, spiritually speaking, is a kindness, and we should not be afraid of the reaction if we do so. After all, it is only once people are awake that they can leave Satan’s realm of darkness to enter into the light of God’s salvation. Like Paul, we are called to offer people the greatest treasure in the universe, admission into the family of God. We must never minimize the necessity of repentance, but we also should never undervalue what we have received and what we offer to others.

This is of course my commission, as it really is for every believer. As a pastor, I am to help people understand and accept this commission for themselves, training them in the work of ministry. (Ephesians 4:12) Some are specifically gifted in evangelism and some are not, but all are called to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom in one way or another. No one has eyes that are completely open to all we could profitably see, so I am to seek to see more fully myself, while helping others to be more perceptive as well. However, I must remember that I am no more than an instrument; the power to accomplish this, to transform people’s hearts and lives, is in the Holy Spirit. The messages for the past few Sundays have focused on that, and today is no exception. I am to desire and allow God to pour His Spirit through me to those around me, so that we may all be raised up as a mighty army to do His will, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this powerful reminder of what Your will is, and that I’m called as an instrument of that will. May I be fully submitted and obedient, fully pleasing to You as Your will is done in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!