The Forgiveness of Sins

Salem Bible Study
Teachings on Community
Acts 26:12-18 (The Message)

 ^12-14"One day on my way to Damascus, armed as always with papers from the high priests authorizing my action, right in the middle of the day a blaze of light, light outshining the sun, poured out of the sky on me and my companions. Oh, King, it was so bright! We fell flat on our faces. Then I heard a voice in Hebrew: 'Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me? Why do you insist on going against the grain?'
 ^15-16"I said, 'Who are you, Master?'
   "The voice answered, 'I am Jesus, the One you're hunting down like an animal. But now, up on your feet—I have a job for you. I've handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what's happened today, and to what I am going to show you.
 ^17-18"'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.'
For Reflection:
It just doesn't seem right! Saul, a most active persecutor of Christians is selected.  How many believers in that day had bad mouthed Saul? Is there anything in these passages that indicate that Jesus passed judgment on Saul?  Jesus anoints Saul with a holy mission.  Think about how you interpret good and bad.  How does practicing Christianity affect your judgment?

Praise God for the the redemption of sins.  Pray that your sins, like Saul's, are redeemed in service to God.