However, It Is Scarcely Plausible That One Could So Relentlessly Persecute Jesus!

Acts 26:14

Am I set on my own way for God? We are never free from this snare until we are brought into the experience of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. Obstinacy and self-will will always stab Jesus Christ. It may hurt no one else, but it wounds His Spirit. Whenever we are obstinate and self-willed and set upon our own ambitions, wea are hurting Jesus Every time we stand on our rights and insist that this is what we intend to do, we are persecuting Jesus.

Whenever we stand on our dignity we symmetrically vex and grieve His Spirit, and when the knowledge comes home that it is Jesus whom we have been persecuting all the time, it is the most crushing revelation there could be.’In the word of God tremendously keen to me as I hand it on to you, or does my life give the lie to the things I profess to teach? I may teach sanctification and yet exhibit the spirit of Satan, the spirit that persecutes Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of Jesus is conscious one thing only- a perfect oneness with the Father, and He says, “Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” All I do ought to be founded on a perfect oneness with Him, not on a self-willed determination to be godly. This will mean that I can be easily put upon, easily over-reached, easily ignored; but if I submit to it for His sake, I prevent Jesus Christ being persecuted.

Acts 26:14 states:

*"When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'"* (ESV)

Here are some key points of emphasis from this verse:

1. **The Humbling Experience: "When we had all fallen to the ground"**

- The dramatic moment of Saul's conversion is highlighted here, where he, along with those traveling with him, is physically brought to the ground. This signifies a moment of divine intervention and power that leaves no room for pride or resistance.

2. **The Voice from Heaven: "I heard a voice saying to me"**

- This emphasizes the personal nature of the encounter. God speaks directly to Saul, showing that the encounter is not just a general event but one tailored to Saul's life and transformation.

3. **The Personal Address: "Saul, Saul"**

- The repetition of Saul's name shows a deep, personal appeal and urgency. It also echoes other moments in Scripture where God calls someone by name, demonstrating God's intimate relationship with those He calls (e.g., "Martha, Martha" in Luke 10:41).

4. **The Question: "Why are you persecuting me?"**

- This question reveals how deeply connected Jesus is with His followers. Persecuting the church is seen as persecuting Christ Himself. It’s a moment of revelation for Saul, who would have understood that his actions were directly opposing God.

5. **The Divine Irony: "It is hard for you to kick against the goads"**

- The "goads" were sharp sticks used to prod cattle, and "kicking against the goads" was a way of describing futile resistance. Jesus is saying that Saul’s efforts to oppose the work of God are not only wrong but ultimately self-destructive. This statement speaks to the futility of resisting God’s will.

6. **The Invitation to Reflection and Change**

- This encounter is a turning point for Saul. The voice invites him to reflect on his actions and reconsider his path. It’s a pivotal moment for Saul's spiritual transformation, setting the stage for his conversion and later ministry.

7. **The Role of Divine Providence**

- The verse illustrates how God works even in the midst of opposition and persecution, turning Saul’s harmful mission into the beginning of his own redemption and calling. It underscores God’s sovereignty and His ability to use even negative circumstances for His purposes.

These points together highlight the dramatic and personal nature of Saul's conversion experience, emphasizing God's direct involvement, the futility of opposing God's will, and the profound shift from persecution to mission.

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