We All Have A Past

November 9, 2026

JOHN 9:25 NKJV - (25) He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”.

NOTE: The above scripture was not written about Saul. No one remembers Paul the preacher, but the real shock is who he used to be. Before he wrote scripture, before churches, before miracles, he was Saul, a man feared by Christians. He didn't just reject Jesus, he hunted his followers, dragging believers from homes, throwing them into prison, approving executions. He thought he was serving God. Then one journey changed everything. Saul was traveling to Damascus with authority to arrest more Christians, breathing threats, fueled by rage, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, brighter than the sun. Saul fell to the ground.

Then a voice spoke, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Not my people, me, because when believers suffer, Jesus takes it personally. Saul trembled. And the answers shattered his world. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. The very name he fought against was alive. In one moment, the persecutor met the risen Christ, and the man who thought he could see clearly was struck blind. 3 days in darkness, no food, no water, just silence and surrender. Then God sent a believer named Ananias, a man Saul once would have arrested. Ananias, here I am, Lord, go to Saul of Tarsus.

Saul, the Persecutor? Ananias laid hands on him. Brother Saul! Saul's sight returned, but more importantly, his heart changed. The Persecutor became a preacher, the Destroyer became a disciple, and the man who once tried to silence the Gospel ended up spreading it across the world. No one is too far gone for God. Jesus doesn't just forgive enemies, he transforms them. Your past may explain you, but it does not have to define you. One encounter with Jesus can change you.

SCRIPTURE READING:

1 JOHN 5:10

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.