When Jesus Christ stopped Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus and informed him that he was to be Christ’s representative to the Gentiles it was as astounding as if Jesus had appeared to Adolf Hitler, informing him that he was to become a Christian missionary to Israel or Africa. (See Acts 9:1-20). Saul of Tarsus hated and despised Christians. Whenever and wherever he found Christians in a synagogue he delivered them into the hands of zealous fellow Jews who would gladly stone them to death. In writing the believers in Galatia, Paul (formerly called Saul) said “For you have heard of my conduct in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.” (See Galatians 1:13). In defending himself before the Roman tribune, Paul told the man, I persecuted this way (Christianity) unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women” (See Acts 22:4). Even as a young man Paul was present at the stoning of the first Christian martyr Stephen, consenting to his death. (See Acts 7:54-60 and Acts 8:1-3). Jesus can surprise us as to who He will choose to represent Him and proclaim His truths on this earth.
“For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not (or, are of no reputation), to bring to nought things that are that no flesh should glory in his presence” (I Corinthians 1:26-29).
Yes, God can surprise us as to whom He will use as His representative. He will choose an ex-convict while passing over a thousand law-abiding citizens. He will choose a young shepherd boy to be his most illustrious king and will choose a stuttering slave to be His representative and deliverer of His people. He will choose a murderous Christian hater to be His greatest apostle. God cautions us that His thoughts are not our thoughts. He does not think like we humans think. Never forget that. The one you scorn may well be the one whom God has anointed to speak on His behalf!
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley