Conversion

When the truth is revealed to us, it should open our eyes and make us want to change, right?

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God because of me. - Galatians 1:11-24

Paul's conversion was not your typical learning experience.  He didn't hear the good news and instantly change his direction.  He was struck down with fear and blinded.

Jesus knows that we can be stubborn and self righteous in our quest for truth and justice.  And so it was with Paul.

He was zealous about the law.  He believed that the followers of Christ were evil for the falsehoods they were spreading.

What Paul realized when he saw the light was that all he had been taught and all that had taken place throughout history was false.  

So he set out to spread the truth.

He didn't try to change history.  That is not possible.  Instead, he told his story and offered people an opportunity to change themselves.

Jesus came to turn people around, not to judge them for going the wrong way.  

We know conversion is possible, even if the entire institutionalized belief system is based on lies.

Maybe we should remember that when we set out to change the way we approach the evils in our history.  Rather than demonize one another, we should offer a chance to see the light and change.

More to come...