Henceforth, There Is Laid Up For Us Who Believe A Crown of Righesouness - Part 1517

"Who art Thou, Lord?" asked Saul, when he was suddenly stopped by a bright light which shone all around him, while enroute to Damascus. 

Jesus said unto Saul,  "I am Jesus!"

The very same Jesus who shall save His people from their sin. His name Immanuel, which interpreted means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23) This very SAME Jesus who is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) Indeed, neither is there salvation in any other name. (Acts 4:12) In no one else but Jesus can salvation be found. Only Jesus!

This is why the council called the apostles and commanded them -- and in fact, dictated to them that they were not to speak to anyone about Jesus. These were not even to whisper His Name. Forbidden by the powers that be to quieten the very Word that these disciples desired in their heart to bring forth.

Thus, as we learn from the scriptures, Peter's response to the council was simple. Peter told them to decide for themselves whether it is right before God to obey individuals rather than God. Paul also confirmed this point when he said that it was the God of our fathers who had appeared to him as he journeyed on the road to Damascus. 

Paul (as Saul) was told that it was the God of our fathers who had met him and chosen him, when his only mission at that time was to find those who believed in Jesus and jail them. That was certainly his mission for that day.

Thankfully, the Lord had another mission for Saul, and soon, renamed as Paul, he would learn God's will for Paul's life. So the light shone all around him, stopping him (and those that were with Saul in their tracks. As we read, Saul became blind. Throughout the account in Acts, it is important to note that Paul had "seen the Just One" and heard His voice speaking directly to his heart.

Can you imagine what Saul must have been thinking, when he uttered the words, "Who art Thou, Lord?" As we know, Saul did not have to ask twice, or give it some thought, or ponder what he would say. His question was simple. "Who art Thou, Lord?"

Jesus told Saul right there and then, "I am Jesus whom ye persecute. it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (Acts 9:4-6)  As we learn, Saul could no longer go against the pricks. Once and for all, he had to make a decision for Jesus.

This is why the scriptures tell us that the Name of Jesus is ABOVE every other name in both Heaven and on earth. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus the Christ is Lord. As Christians, we are renewed, justified, and sanctified in Him -- Jesus the Christ. He alone is the True God that gives eternal life.

God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) The Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) And this same Lord is Jesus who Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost identified as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

Jesus -- Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)

He became the perfect sacrifice for you and I. This is why we look for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ -- who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:13-14)

This is why these things we speak, and exhort with all long suffering and doctrine, preaching the Word both in season and out of season, reproving and rebuking, if necessary to ensure that the truth of the good news gospel of Jesus Christ will be known to one and all. (Acts 2:36-47; II Timothy 4:2)

And just like Saul, and the fishermen disciples before him, who stopped everything to follow Jesus, we fight a good fight -- keeping the faith. "Henceforth, there is laid up for me [and you] a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to all them also that love His appearing." (II Timothy 4:7-8)

Do not delay. Reach out to Jesus today. Be water baptized in His Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- so that you too shall receive the Holy Ghost. Stand in the offering plate.