Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?” (Acts 9:19-21)
It is an unfortunate aspect of human nature that we are prone to make judgment calls about people and assume they will probably never change. Most of us have a “backstory” to our life – who we were in our younger days that we’re not proud of. There are things in our past that all of us hope never come to light as we know it would change how people look at us.
In Acts, we see the dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee who hated Christ’s followers and made it his life’s work to persecute them. If you only knew this, he would hardly seem like the man whom God would use mightily to spread the gospel and write much of the New Testament scriptures!
One day, all that changed.
Saul was traveling to Damascus to arrest any believers he could find there. But Jesus had other plans for Saul. As he neared the city, Saul encountered the very Jesus he was so opposed to. After Jesus threw him in the dirt and they had a little heart-to-heart conversation, Saul made a complete turnaround. In fact, Jesus called him “my chosen instrument” (v. 15). He was so changed, he took on a new name, Paul.
But if all you knew was his backstory, you would likely discard any of his letters thinking he was disqualified to teach and write about the deeper doctrines of God and Jesus.
You would be mistaken.
His past made Paul part of who he was, and drove him deep into and understanding of God’s grace and mercy.
Let’s be careful not to assume who Jesus can and will use. In the same way, don’t assume your past disqualifies YOU from being used.
Dead Man Walking 
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