Acts 22:6–16 Love

We need to use the teachings of Jesus  in how we judge others. His command to love our neighbors as much as we do our own family, our Church members, our neighbors and our nation has not changed. The redemption of the Cross covers a multitude of mankind’s sin. He arrived on this earth with shouts of Peace, peace to the people on earth! We were blind but now we see.

Gods’ love and His grace are not restricted to those we love but to all of His creation. He wants no one to perish!

Isaiah 53:11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

Well, here’s the good news; every single one of us have been endowed and equipped, because every single one of us has been given the name; Peacemaker.

This is from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, "So; chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and discipline. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." SabbathMoments 

Healer of the Nations,
from the noise of war
and the drumbeat of vengeance,
give us undiminished determination
to wage peace.
Out of brokenness, violence, and destruction
let us plant seeds of hope.
Out of chaos, confusion, and hatred,
build bridges of love.
Out of distrust, disunity, and distance,
walk together in harmony.
Heal our divisions and make us whole.
Amen.
Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson

Acts 22:6–16

6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. 10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. 12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ The New King James Version

Since Ananias, an upstanding Jew, approved of Paul, then other Jews should not object. 

God of our fathers reinforces that the God who commissioned Paul is the God of Israel, Yahweh. This phrase is used in the old testament to refer to Yahweh and to His promises. 

This title is used in the prophecy of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53:11, to refer to how the Suffering Servant makes others right before Yahweh via His death and resurrection. Faithlife Study Bible

Paul shared his personal testimony. God has given to each of us a testimony of how He has changed our lives. We must share that testimony to everyone who will listen. Peter exhorts us in 1 Peter to always to be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us.  The NKJV Study Bible

Christ is here called that Just One; for he is Jesus Christ the righteous. 

Those whom God has chosen to know his will, must look to Jesus, for by him God has made known his good-will to us. The great gospel privilege, sealed to us by baptism, is the pardon of sins. Be baptized, and wash away thy sins; that is, receive the comfort of the pardon of thy sins in and through Jesus Christ, and lay hold on his righteousness for that purpose; and receive power against sin, for the mortifying of thy corruptions. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Acts 9:8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 26:16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.