Editorial: When God Calls Your Name

Saul had enjoyed great success in persecuting the Christians in Jerusalem, and was authorized to chase them down after they escaped to the North. But, on the way to Damascus, God called his name.

Editorial By Rick Remmers, Chesapeake Conference president

“’Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You Lord?’  Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’” (Acts 9:4-5, NKJV). This encounter turned upside down the life of Saul, who became Paul.

Paul had been brought up to zealously keep the law, but now he found that salvation could only be experienced through faith in Jesus Christ. It became his theme as he preached and wrote. His beliefs were transformed by Jesus’ call. Paul’s actions were altered; he went from being a persecutor to a preacher. Instead of trying to extinguish the fledgling Christian church, he became the boldest of the apostles. He brought multitudes to the faith through his persevering efforts.

Paul became motivated by a love for Jesus. Hunger, imprisonment, stoning, shipwrecks, exhaustion and rejection were nothing to be compared to the joy of sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. He had heard Jesus call his name and wanted everyone else to know the peace of walking with the Lord.

Today Jesus calls your name as well. What will it mean for you to hear and respond like Paul? What kind of transformation will it bring to your life? It is the most incredible call any of us will ever receive.