We should become better people

Historical accounts show that man is forever in contention with God.

Man just cannot sit still and trust God because he cannot see God in the physical realm.

The only way he can be in tandem with God and His way is through faith, which many find difficult to exercise hence the striving.

But history also shows that no matter where we run to, we will have a Damascus experience.

Let me bring you up to speed on the Damascus experience.

Saul of Tarsus was a devout and zealous Jew who did not believe in the new way that was being preached in Jerusalem — a man claiming to be the Son of God had died and risen three days later.

To say he was furious was an understatement for Saul sought letters from the chief priests in order to drag the followers of the new faith from synanogues and throw them into prison.

So on this day, I can imagine excited Paul on the road to Damascus.

He must have had a conversation like this: “They will see what I am made of today. Who do they think they are? Desecrating the name of the Most High? No way!” And on he went till he saw a powerful blinding light. He heard a voice, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” The long and short of it is that Saul became blind for three days when the Lord sent Ananias to deliver His word.

Several lessons need to be learned about a Damascus experience.

• It is divine and God-inspired hence irresistible.

• You will be born again, meaning you will acquire a new personality, convictions, attitude. Saul became Paul because his identity needed to change too.

• When you fully give yourself to this new way of life, you will bear fruits of unimaginable proportions.

I know a few of my friends who were on death row, had a Damascus experience, were released, and today the fruit they have borne is admirable and humbling.

• In your sinful state, you have eyes but do not see because worldliness has blinded you to the truth of the word of God. You will however no longer remain blind after a Damascus experience: scales will fall off your eyes and your vision will be clearer.

• After a Damascus experience, God will equip you with more strength and energy.

He knows you cannot fulfil His purposes on earth if you are operating under human strength.