Although we are totally under grace in the salvation given in Jesus there can be consequences that result from our past.
Paul suffered much in his lifetime all for the glory of God!
Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Acts 20:23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
For believers who trust Jesus as their Savior, Romans 8:28 is a powerful reminder of God's providence: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." May we draw comfort in knowing that every detail in our lives is filtered through the loving hands of our Creator. First5
Gifts of compassion show up in delightful and surprising ways. Surprising because they can be unexpected, because they don’t always fit in the mental box we’ve made for love—for compassion and kindness and empathy. Yes, and that’s why compassion will always break down barriers, and defenses, and walls, allowing us to embrace the gift of vulnerability. So. Let us rest in that gift.
Mother Teresa’s reflections, on Working Toward Peace.
“Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let us use love and compassion. Peace begins with a smile. Smile five times a day at someone you don't really want to smile at; do it for peace. Let us radiate the peace of God and so light His light and extinguish in the world and in the hearts of all men all hatred and love for power.”
“Today, if we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other—that man, that woman, that child is my brother or my sister. If everyone could see the image of God in his neighbor, do you think we would still need tanks and generals?” Sabbath Moments
Acts 9:13-16
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” The New King James Version
Ananias is concerned; the Lord is sending him to a vicious persecutor of the church. There is irony surrounding the name of Jesus in His dialog with Ananias about Saul. Ananias objects that Saul has persecuted those who call on Jesus’ name. Jesus reveals that He has chosen and transformed Saul precisely so that he will carry that name to the Gentiles—and even suffer for it. Faithlife Study Bible
Regenerating grace sets people on praying; you may as well find a living man without breath, as a living Christian without prayer. Yet even eminent disciples, like Ananias, sometimes stagger at the commands of the Lord. But it is the Lord’s glory to surpass our scanty expectations, and show that those are vessels of his mercy whom we are apt to consider as objects of his vengeance. The teaching of the Holy Spirit takes away the scales of ignorance and pride from the understanding; then the sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavours to recommend the anointed Saviour, the Son of God, to his former companions. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
So far in Acts, Christians have been called “disciples,” “believers,” and those belonging to “the Way”. Here the word saints is used. It means those set apart by God for use in His service. The NKJV Study Bible
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
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