Paul writes to the Roman Christians about being “transformed” (Romans 12:2). Mind transformation can be quite involved, especially when dealing with preconceived ideas, fears, and concerns, or when attempting to convince others of a better way. Paul gets his first exposure to this transformation process in today’s study passage.

Our story is a familiar one to most students of the Bible. Paul has set out for Damascus to continue his persecution of the early church. On the way he is met by Jesus and shown how his thinking needs adjusting. To help in this process, Ananias is pressed into service, and he must deal with his own transformation issue . . . fear. As a result of the transformation in both of these men, the Christian community (and the world) are also transformed (literally turned upside down) and many are drawn to Christ. Let’s look at how this process worked.

Preconceived Ideas
At this time, Paul is the poster boy for the Jewish religious experience. His zeal knows no bounds in dealing with the followers of “this way,” which Paul demonstrates at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58). While Paul is in the process of taking this crusade to Damascus, Jesus confronts Paul’s upbringing, education, and his preconceived ideas—and the transformation process begins. But the process does not stop with Paul’s conversion. Others will also need to have their thinking transformed.

Questions: Have you ever had any of your beliefs or thought processes—perhaps even your lifestyle—challenged? How did you react? How should you handle a situation like this?

Fears and Concerns
On the other side, Ananias is asked to do something that goes in the face of all that seems reasonable, and he reacts as many of us would. Haven’t all of us, at some point, questioned one another, or God, by saying, “You are going to do WHAT?” But if we look beyond the immediate circumstances, we may learn about other values.

Long ago during the Christmas season, as the story goes, a young boy is walking with his father and shies away from a “bum” who asks for money. To his surprise, the father gives the boy a dollar bill (a lot of money in the 1900s) and has him take it back to the man. After obeying, the boy asks his father, “Why?” Looking back at the “bum,” the dad says, “There but for the grace of God go I.”

Recall that the prophet Samuel had to learn a lesson about looking at only the “outside” when examining Jesse’s sons while choosing a replacement for King Saul. In 1 Samuel 16:6, 7, we see God’s response to Samuel’s perceptions. David, the smallish son, went on to become known (among other things) as “a man after God’s heart.” In the same way, Ananias must trust in God, not his own instincts and perceptions, that God will somehow use this legal ruffian Paul as a refined tool in working with the Gentiles. God often takes his “valuables” in this world and places them in containers thought of as unfit by man.

Questions: Have you ever questioned the soundness of an idea only to find later that it was wise? How did you handle being wrong? Did you accept or continue to reject?

Convincing Others
After being “convinced” by God, Ananias does as he is instructed. Saul is healed, and the rest is now Bible history. Others will also need convincing (transforming). It isn’t until Barnabas takes Saul under his wing and brings him before the apostles (Acts 9:27) to hear his story that Saul is taken seriously. It is some time later that the Holy Spirit has Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work they have been called to do (Acts 13:2). All this should serve as an example that transformation doesn’t always occur overnight. Sometimes the wheels of change turn slowly. But if God is behind the transformation, it will happen!

Questions: Have you ever had a good or great idea you wanted to implement only to find that others around you were not ready to try it? How long did your idea have to wait before its time was right? How did you initially react?

* All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.