Acts 9:20-22 – And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ..
Saul, after the murder of Stephen, continued on his quest to destroy the church of the Lord Jesus. But Christ met him on the road to Damascus, and forever changed his life. Saul, who would later be known as Paul, was changed, and began preaching the truth that Jesus is truly the Son of God.
One thing that is certainly true in the lives of many believers is that we often think that we know of somebody who is beyond hope. Now, we would never say that aloud, because we do not want to sound as though we lack faith. But, if the truth be known, we often do lack faith. We fail to remember how great was the change in us when God drew us to himself. We fail to remember that we were just as dead in sins and transgressions as is that person we think beyond God’s reach. We fail to remember that God can change anyone, even his staunchest enemy, which is exactly what he did with Saul.
Think right now of a person or persons you know who you feel may be too far gone. Is there someone with whom you no longer think of sharing the gospel? Is there a person you think simply will not be reached by you? Look back at Saul’s story. He was an enemy of Christ. He had Christians arrested and killed. He not only did these horrible things, but he was being highly rewarded for doing them. He was too far gone. But Jesus has a habit of saving those who are too far gone. He saved me, and I was too far gone. If you are a believer, he saved you when you were too far gone. No one is beyond his reach. In fact, his name is greatly glorified when he reaches out and brings to himself one who the world thinks is beyond his reach. While I can not guarantee that God will save the person on your mind, I can guarantee this: that person is not beyond his reach.
Lord, I acknowledge here and now that no one is beyond your reach. Yes, I know that not all will come to know you, but that is not because you could not reach them. Your hand can not be stayed. No one can thwart your will. You can accomplish anything you so choose. I entrust myself to you. I ask that you will help me to share the gospel with those who are too far gone. I pray that you will let me see your glory as you reach into the heart of someone dead in sins and transgressions and give them new life. I pray that you will use me as an instrument in your hands in that task. Lord, I simply want to serve you and see you glorify your name. Forgive me, I pray, for ever thinking that anyone is beyond your reach. May I never stop telling people, all people, about your saving grace.
Pastor Travis Peterson 