“You do change human nature, your own human nature, if you surrender it to Christ. Human nature can be changed here and now. Human nature has been changed in the past. Human nature must be changed on an enormous scale in the future, unless the world is to be drowned in its own blood. And only Christ can change it.” – Ezra Taft Benson
The story of Saul has always intrigued me. I often am curious who the latter day Sauls are. I understand that we don’t always get to see and know what people are doing and who people are. However, the idea that Saul could become the great Paul is amazing. It also shows the true power of Christ’s love and the reality of the magnitude of His Atonement. This story alone brings together all the great characteristics of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and helps us to each see that we too have access to that love and that atonement. The secret combination that unlocks heavens powers is HUMILITY. As strong as Saul was in persecuting the Christians, he was that strong in turning his direction as soon as recognized he was doing something wrong. His desire to serve God, far superseded his desire to please man. This is a crucial element in “following” Christ. We must desire to follow Him greater than our desire to follow the world.
Saul was an important man in the persecution crowd, or else the Bible wouldn’t mention that the clothes of Stephen, who had just been stoned to death, were brought to Saul.
Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
This is a hard place to be. You are trying to follow God, by destroying the Christians, because you believe they are destroying “your” God’s plan, by preaching Christ’s redeeming power. Saul wasn’t on the back burner with his feelings. He was a leader, with purpose, and unquenchable fortitude to rid the land of Christians.
Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
This shows how respected he was among those that fought against the Christians. To me this is what makes this story so amazing. It also shows Saul’s true character, even though in the beginning it appeared evil. He was always a man that desired to follow God with every ounce of his soul. It was an instantaneous change for him, after hearing God speak to him. It was as if everything thing in his life was for nothing, all he wanted was to follow the Lord. Is that not what God has been telling us all along, follow me, fear nothing else, I will lead you, trust me? So often we are not willing to listen, because we have made up our minds and we have spoken our view to others, meaning we would have to go back on what we said and look like a fool to our friends. At least that is what the adversary wants us to believe. He wants us to believe all is lost if we change our course in life. The truth is, that the only one lying is Satan. Following the Lord is always better, and always brings more happiness.
The young man in the scriptures who asked the Lord what he could do to better serve Him, and the Lord answered, “sell all you have and follow me”. This was a great obstacle for the young man. He loved the Lord, and desired to follow him, but not at the expense of surrenders all that he had in the eyes of the Lord. Saul’s story is the exact opposite. “What would you have me do?” asked Saul, and then he responds with exactness to the Lord’s request, even though he was going to have to basically sell all he had built up in order to follow the Lord.
“Our Father provided the sun, the moon, and the stars—heavenly galaxies to guide mariners who sail the lanes of the sea. To us, as we walk the pathway of life, He provides a clear map and points the way toward our desired destination. He cautions: beware the detours, the pitfalls, the traps. We cannot be deceived by those who would lead us astray, those clever pied pipers of sin beckoning here or there. Instead, we pause to pray; we listen to that still, small voice which speaks to the depths of our souls the Master’s gentle invitation, “Come, follow me.”-President Thomas S. Monson
I had a good friend who had left the church for 15 years. During that time, she was very adamant about her feelings being contrary to the teachings of the gospel. After years of this, she realized that what she was looking for was right in front of her. She realized that she had known the whole time, but just fought so hard against her own feelings. However, realizing she had been wrong was nothing. The difficult part of coming back was going back on all those years of opposing the church. She was overwhelmed with what others would think. Once she made her choice to come back and face the backlash of her own rebellion, she found out that no one cared about those years she was fighting against the church. She was welcomed back with open arms. She testifies boldly today that it is nothing more than a lie told by Satan to hold us back.
This week, and for the weeks to follow, let’s ask the Lord, “What would thou have me do?” And then follow through with exactness. Don’t look back, just follow through and look up and onward to Christ. He will pull you through.
Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
“Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.
Men changed for Christ will be captained by Christ. Like Paul they will be asking, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6.) Peter stated, they will “follow his steps.” (1 Pet. 2:21.) John said they will “walk, even as he walked.” (1 Jn. 2:6.)
Finally, men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. To paraphrase President Harold B. Lee, they set fire in others because they are on fire. (Stand Ye in Holy Places, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, p. 192.)
Their will is swallowed up in His will. (See John 5:30.)
They do always those things that please the Lord. (See John 8:29.)
Not only would they die for the Lord, but more important they want to live for Him.” -Ezra Taft Benson
-Sherri Jorgensen
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