Blinded by the Light

Acts 9:3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

The account of mega-phairsee, Christian persecutor Saul being transformed into the slave of Christ Paul, above is striking. The man who is on His way to persecute the bride of Christ is suddenly transformed into one of its biggest advocates. What happened? Simply put, the Holiness of Christ's righteousness blinded Paul while he was in a state of self righteousness. Paul was forced to see that His own righteous was weak and temporary while Christ's was dominating. In an instant Paul's center of existence and trust moved from Himself and in the manner of three days it was 100% built and centered on Christ. He learned that his AA powered mini light was not the light that would light up the world, it was Christ the Sun of righteous and the bright morning star who would be the savior of men.

As you read this, whose righteousness are you trusting in? If you profess Christ as Lord, simply trust and exalt Him as Lord and quit trying to be a light you can't be in your own strength. Any power from Christ comes from being pressed into Him. We are quick to try it on our own, without prayer and communion with Him. When we do this we find our saves flailing because we are "unplugged" from His power and light.

If we are "plugged in" to Him our path will be well lit and clear even as we face trials. If we aren't our little mini lites leave an unclear path that frustrates us at every angle. Get blinded by the Light and see!