July 3

Religious, Wrong, and Rescued

“And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
~ Acts 22:7

Imagine being so convinced you’re right that you’re willing to imprison and even kill people for it. That was Saul of Tarsus. He wasn’t some godless thug, he was deeply religious, trained by the best, zealous for God, and committed to preserving truth as he understood it. But he was dead wrong.

One day, on a dusty road to Damascus, everything changed. Not because someone debated him or gave him new information, but because Jesus Himself stepped in and confronted him. A blinding light, a voice from heaven, a question that cut through all his pride: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 22:7). Notice this, Jesus didn’t say, “Why are you persecuting them,” but “Me.” Because when you attack those who follow Jesus, you’re attacking Jesus Himself.

Saul’s entire world collapsed in that moment. The man who thought he was serving God realized he was fighting against Him. And the only response he could give was the right one: “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10). That’s the turning point, when a proud heart becomes a humble one, when a persecutor becomes a servant.

This wasn’t some mystical inner journey or vague spiritual awakening. It was direct, personal, and real. Saul was blinded by the glory of Christ and physically led into Damascus. But God didn’t leave him in the dark. He sent a man named Ananias with a message: “The God of our fathers appointed you to know His will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from His mouth” (Acts 22:14).

The same Saul who hated Jesus now saw Him. And the Lord didn’t just open his eyes physically, He opened his heart. Saul’s sins were washed away not by religion or ritual, but by calling on the name of Jesus (Acts 22:16). He was transformed from the inside out, not patched up but made new.

That’s the power of the gospel. Jesus doesn’t come to make bad people a little better, He comes to raise the dead. Saul became Paul, a bold witness who would suffer and eventually die for the very gospel he once tried to destroy.

And here’s the truth, you don’t have to be on a dusty road to Damascus to encounter Jesus. He’s calling out today. Maybe not in a blinding light, but through His Word. And the question still stands, Why are you fighting Him? If He’s Lord, then the only right response is, “What shall I do, Lord?”

The answer hasn’t changed. Repent, believe, and call on the name of Jesus. Let Him open your eyes. Let Him change your story. The One who turned Saul from enemy to witness is still in the business of saving souls, including yours.

Read / Listen

2 Kings 22:3-23:30
Acts 21:37-22:16
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 18:11-12

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. ~ Psalms 1:1-6

You must know the word of God in order to be saved. You may think you are saved and be totally lost. Please watch the below video: Many Church People Will be in HELL!

New Testament: Acts 21:37-22:16

Summary: Paul Speaks to the People

And why do you delay?

What are you waiting for?

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ ~ Acts 22:16

Although it may not have been the case for the apostle, it is a common occurrence for many to put off and postpone obedience to the commands of Christ, especially when it comes to the ordinance of baptism. The reasons for this delay include the power of their sinful nature and the weakness of their faith, leading them to doubt their relationship with Christ. There are also fears of backsliding and bringing dishonor to Christ, His Gospel, and His ordinance. Some may delay due to the fear of ridicule from others, while others wait for a more favorable emotional state or a sense of readiness. However, no delay should be made on such grounds, as baptism is a direct command from Christ that should be promptly followed as soon as one believes. To obey is to follow Christ, and there should be no delay in doing so. The consequences of delaying are severe: it hinders the glorification of Christ, displays ingratitude towards Him, and deprives oneself of the comfort that could be experienced. It can also lead to a lack of regard for the ordinance and a loss of the sense of duty.