(The following is the June 9 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Acts 26 and pay close attention to verses 12-18.)

Paul understood his mission because Jesus told him what it was during their encounter on the road to Damascus. Paul described that conversion moment where the Lord told him, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (vv. 15-18).

Paul’s purpose included: (1) opening the eyes of the spiritually blind so that they may (2) turn from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, and thereby (3) receive forgiveness of sins, and (4) become children of God by faith. God is the one behind all these. Neither Paul nor we can accomplish them alone, but we can surrender ourselves as faithful servants for Christ to do his work through us.

We participate in opening the eyes of the spiritually blind when we confront people regarding sin and estrangement from God. We help others turn from darkness to light, from Satan to God, by explaining the gospel and how to respond. Hearers experience forgiveness of sins when they confess and turn from them with godly sorrow. Our Father adopts people as his children when they place their faith in Jesus Christ, not themselves or any other false god.

We don’t need a Damascus road experience with Jesus to learn our purpose. We share the purposes Christ has already revealed to his people in his Word.

Next Step:
In what ways have you recently tried to open the eyes of those spiritually blind and without Christ? Pray regularly for opportunities to be a faithful verbal witness for Christ.