The Power and Problem of a Transformed Life (Acts 9:23-31)

Introduction

When we enter into a relationship with someone, if the person is honest, they will tell us what we are getting into. Jesus does not conceal the truth about the consequence of keeping company with Him. There will be transformation (John 3:1-3; John 8:31-32; John 15:4-5; ) and trouble. Regarding the latter, Jesus and His followers are clear:

Preparing People for Persecution (Luke 6:22) — ²² Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil (John 9:34), for the Son of Man’s sake (John 9:1-34).

Through this saying Jesus has told His followers that there is a hate directed at Him that falls on those with Him. A person who has become a believer and disciple of Jesus is excluded, reviled, and cast out as evil on account of their association and approval of the Son of Man.

When they Are Hating (John 15:18) — ¹⁸ If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

The person that has become a Jesus follower has been chosen out of the world (John 15:19). Their experience in the world, then, will be like that of their master (John 15:20). A world that despises the Teacher will despise His students. And the same society that is incensed by the activities and agenda of the Master will be no less irritated by the ones found keeping His commands. Jesus says plainly, “If you find yourself being hated by the people in your world, know that you are merely entering into the results of being in relationship with me; they hated Me first.”

The Trouble Caused by a Transformed Life (John 12:9–11) — ⁹ Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, ¹¹ because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

John recounts the response of Jesus-hating folk to a life that has been transformed by His power. Lazarus was dead. Because of the grace and power of Jesus he was living and in fellowship with Jesus at a meal. Being alive, after having been deceased for four days, and in fellowship with Jesus amounted to irrefutable reasons for others to believe. Many Jews, seeing the truth about what Jesus could do, went away from their former unbelief and blind following of corrupt religious leadership to believing in Jesus.

The Power of the Transformed Life — The transformed life testifies to the Truth (John 14:6) and is used by Jesus to help unbelievers turn from unbelief to trust Him.

Peter Makes it Plain (1 Peter 4:12–14) — ¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

Peter says not to be dumbfounded or in awe when we are treated awfully because of faith in Christ. This is actually a reason to rejoice (1 Peter 4:13); the poor treatment is an indicator that we have become part of Christ and thus are partaking in His suffering. The reproach (criticism, blame, disapproval) is an ungodly response to the anointing – the Spirit of glory rests upon us. Aspersions hurled at you are really evil statements about the Spirit’s work in you (blasphemy); it is happening because you, in the power of the Spirit, are glorifying Jesus or making Him appear to be the good Person that He is.

Jesus Helps Saul See (Acts 9:15–16) — 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.”

In addition to restoring the sight of Saul, Jesus makes it clear that tough times lie ahead. “Saul, you are going to suffer many things because of Me.” When the trouble of poor treatment from haters hit him, the things shown him by Jesus will help Saul to rejoice, persevere, and put uncomfortable things in perspective.

Jesus and His followers help people understand what they are getting into when they start following Him. It is part of His impeccable honesty and love for people that are going to be in relationship with him. Real friendship requires a release of the truth about who you really are and what comes with you.

Questions for Consideration

• Do I endeavor to make people aware of what they are getting into when they decide to associate with me?
• Am I suffering because of my association with Jesus and/or His people? Is my response to this (a) rejoicing because it is an indicator of my conversion or (b) sadness and anger because I was not prepared for the losses? How will considering the words of Jesus and His followers help me put persecution in perspective?