Saul Comes to Believe — Step 2

STEP 2: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

There are important moments in life that can change our destiny. These are often times when we are confronted with how powerless we are over the events of our life. These moments can forever set the course of our life in a much better direction.

Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul; see Acts 13:9) came from a devout Jewish family in the city of Tarsus. In his letters that comprise much of the New Testament, Saul would rely heavily on the training he receive concerning the Hebrew law and the prophets of the Old Testament, but after Jesus’ ascension, Saul took it upon himself to rid the world of Christians.

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?’

‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ (Acts 9:3-6 NTL)

When Saul picked himself up off the ground, he was blind. It wasn’t until he followed Christ’s directions and was healed by another believer that the scales left Saul’s eyes so he could see again. Although Saul had always believed in God, in that moment, he came to believe that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior.

Saul’s story is like the addict or co-dependent in recovery whose program does not yet include Jesus. We worked the steps and stayed committed to a healthier path, but until Christ is the center of our recovery, it’s almost as if we are just going through the motions. Just like Saul, once we come to believe that following Jesus’ is the only path to sanity, the blinders fall off—we can see clearly and the road for our recovery is so much brighter!

Saul’s Key Verse for Step 2

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.  Acts 9:17-18 (NIV)

Examine your heart

1. Is your faith story anything like Paul’s (Saul)? Why or why not?
2. Paul (Saul) encountered a bright light, he was blind, and then he could see. Which of those three situations best describes where you are at right now?
3. What are some examples of how your faith in a higher power or Jesus Christ has begun to restore your sanity?

Learn More

Paul went on to write many of the books of the New Testament:  Galatians, Corinthians, Romans, Thessalonians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon, Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews. This story comes is found in Acts chapter 9. The book of Acts contains powerful stories of the new church shortly after Christ’s death and can be found on page 1393 of the second edition of The Life Recovery Bible.