LIGHT OF LIBERTY

“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly A LIGHT shone around him FROM HEAVEN” – Acts 9:3

God produces divine transformations through the LIGHT of LIBERTY and the Voice of Freedom: “As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly A LIGHT shone around him FROM HEAVEN” (Acts 9:3). Light, in Scriptures, is more than God’s Agent of Illumination. He also sends Light for Heaven to bring Liberation. This Light that exceeded the brightness of the sun stopped and temporarily blinded Saul, a violence-breathing, fanatic and persistent persecutor, and turned him into Paul – Heaven’s Emissary and apostle (Acts 26:13). It was not a mere illusion or figment of imagination; it was accompanied with the Voice from Heaven that brought perfect knowledge, clear correction and conviction, and fresh instructions and direction. As suddenly as the dazzling light came, so did Saul realise he was on a wrong direction and in self-delusion!

“Suddenly a light shone…” – speaks of the Sovereignty of the Divine Will and the firmness and finality of His acts. God has no need of consultations with His creatures before He decided or acts. His wisdom is infinite, and His tender mercies are over all His works (Rom.11:33-36). How unexpected the scene near Damascus was! If one were to ask why God did this, the answer would be, “I am that I am.” He had ordained Saul to accept the Saviour on this ground: that was His Will!

But, the appearance to Saul was as emphatic as it was sudden. There was no mistake as to the Source of the encounter. Jesus met with Saul, not to parley with him, but to acquaint him with the ultimatum of the Court of Heaven. One perceives this in Paul’s answer: “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (v.6). God’s Light carries with it such magnetic authority.

Paul underwent a radical change, total turn around, complete change of direction and character, and irreversible conversion. Formerly known as Saul, a highly educated Roman Jew, he seemed to have been aroused to extreme violence by the martyrdom of Stephen to which he was party (Acts 7:58; 22:20). Now, the Lord told him that in those poor Christians he was persecuting was the Great Friend and Deliverer of the world. Ironically, God had to blind Paul (temporarily) before re-igniting his Vision: “Suddenly a LIGHT shone around him from heaven…, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank” (vv.3, 8-9). That was his Season of Salvation, after which his singular passion in life became spreading the gospel!

The Light from Heaven pierced Saul’s soul with the Vision of Christ and the Voice from Heaven brought a powerful divine Call. The radical nature of his conversion is perhaps why he was able to identify with other nonbelievers; and why he could write: “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2Cor.4:4). Having been in that state, Paul understood that spiritual blindness is a condition from which urgent deliverance is needed. He later prayed: “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (Eph.1:18b, NIV). If you or anyone you know needs such transformation, pray that God would shine His Light of Deliverance – His Light from Heaven – and open the eyes of your heart. He is the only One capable of such transformation!

Saul’s encounter left an indelible mark in his life, as he later recounted the entire episode with vivid accuracy (Acts 22:3-16). But here is the conclusion of the story: Saul approached Damascus a zealous religionist and furious persecutor; he entered it a humble penitent; he left it a great visionary apostle! That’s the nature of transformation that God accomplishes through encounters with His Light of Liberty! Paul’s was a momentary encounter with life-long impact. You and I can have fresh encounters such that our paths in life become as a shining light, shining ever brighter unto the Perfect Day (Pro.4:18).