What can we learn from Saul's transformation in Acts 22:20? Background Snapshot: Saul Standing by the Coats “ ‘And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I was standing there, giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.’ ” (Acts 22:20) Grace That Overwhelms Guilt • Stephen’s blood cried out against Saul, yet Christ’s blood would soon cover him (Romans 5:20). • No past sin—however public or violent—outweighs the reach of the cross. • Saul never minimized his guilt (1 Timothy 1:13–15) but maximized God’s mercy. Honest Confession Becomes a Testimony • He retells his darkest moment without excuses, modeling 1 John 1:9. • Transparency about sin highlights the miracle of new birth (2 Corinthians 4:7). • His candor disarms skeptics: “If God can pardon the persecutor, He can pardon me.” God Recruits from the Enemy’s Ranks • The Lord chose the chief opponent (Acts 9:15) to showcase sovereign grace (Ephesians 2:4–7). • Saul’s zeal, once destructive, was redirected for Christ’s mission (Galatians 1:23). • Divine selection silences boasting: “By grace I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:9–10). New Eyes Produce New Loyalties • He once safeguarded murderers’ cloaks; now he guards the gospel’s purity (Galatians 1:6–9). • Former accomplices became future adversaries—proof of radical change (Acts 9:21, 23). • Love for the persecuted church replaced hatred (2 Corinthians 11:28). Motivation for Unrelenting Ministry • Memories of Stephen spurred endurance through beatings, shipwrecks, and prisons (Acts 20:24). • Gratitude fuels service: forgiven much, he loved much (Luke 7:47). • His life invites us to labor, not to earn grace, but because of grace (Ephesians 2:10). Sobering Warning Against Silent Complicity • Saul “gave approval” without throwing a stone—passive sin still counts (James 4:17). • Guarding coats seems harmless, yet it abetted murder; neutrality can be lethal in moral crises. • The verse calls believers to active righteousness, not comfortable distance. Living Proof of Resurrection Power • Only the risen Christ could convert a persecutor into an apostle (Acts 26:8, 15–18). • Saul’s turnaround authenticates the gospel he preached (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). • Every redeemed life echoes the empty tomb—ours included. Personal Takeaways to Walk Out Today • Face past sins honestly; let grace, not shame, define you. • Share your testimony—your “Stephen moment” may open someone’s heart. • Refuse complicity in evil, even in silent approval. • Celebrate God’s ability to rewrite any story, including yours. |
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