By: The Very Rev. Canon David Roseberry

Even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief (I Tim 1:13)

We have been fighting a protracted war against terror for exactly 15 years on Sunday, September 11th. No one would say it has been conclusive. The terrorists strike at will, it seems. Their cells reach throughout the world. We all suspect it will take a long time before we see real progress or lasting peace. Some call this war a generational struggle for survival. Can it ever change? Will terrorists ever stop the violence?

Honestly, many people today do not think so.

But there is always hope because our God is there always and He, in a sovereign act, can change the circumstances on the landscape overnight; or in Paul’s case, at high noon! In 1 Timothy 1:13, Paul tells of his former life (vs. 13) with disarming honesty and transparency. He reveals who he was and the horror of what he did. Paul admits that he was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. He was
responsible for the incarceration of innocent people, the harassment of believers, perhaps even torture. He was there at the stoning of Stephen and gave approval to it. Today he would be called a terrorist.

But then God intervened. At high noon, in the most significant event to happen at noon since the execution of Paul’s nemesis, the Risen Savior spoke to Paul. This hate-filled man became a believer in Christ and the Apostle to the Gentiles. God stopped him in his tracks and spoke to him unequivocally. God used this man’s misdirected passion and brilliance to carry the Gospel instead of fueling its persecution. As we now know, Paul would define and shape the theology, missiology, and expansion of the Early Church.

Why? How? We cannot know the specifics of how the Early Church prayed. But one thing is for certain: they prayed for their enemies. This was the teaching of Jesus. This was one of the main emphases of Jesus in His life’s teaching (“…but I tell you, pray for your enemies and for those who persecute you” Matt 5:44)) and at his death (Father forgive them… Luke 23:34) The Early Church prayed mightily, and they prayed for the enemies and those who would do harm. Every Christian can take great comfort and strength in this. God can and does change the human heart.

We must always know that God can do whatever he wills to do. The human spirit, even as rebellious and violent as Paul, is no match for the sovereign power of God. Those who persecute others, who harm innocent lives, to take innocent lives, are all subject to God’s overwhelming power to penetrate a heart of stone and give instead, a heart of flesh.