No One Is Beyond The Reach Of God

Have you ever prayed for the most hardened atheist to become a Christian? Or looked at a politician or sports figure and thought what if they gave their life to Christ and then thought “like that will ever happen?” Or, perhaps, someone closer to you like a family member, child, or friend that is making a mess of their life and needs the Lord and thought it’s impossible?

Chances are they didn’t think about it, but if they ever did, it would have been impossible to get their head wrapped around the idea of the apostle Paul ever following Christ. After all he was chucking them in prison, having them tortured, even killed. His words and actions proclaimed a hatred for anything associated with Christ. Hard-nosed, stubborn, opinionated, extremely religious, and prideful; the cards were stacked against him for ever changing. Do you know people like that? Privately in your head you think there is no chance of them ever having a heart change.

There are some great encouragements we can learn from Paul’s conversion in Acts 9.

First, we can learn that no one anywhere is beyond the reach of the Gospel. The Gospel can reach anyone, anywhere, under any circumstances…period. It is just that powerful.

Secondly can learn no one is too lost for God. Even on the road going on his way to get those “in the way”. It says suddenly a light from heaven flashed (Acts 9:3). Isn’t that a great word, looks like that child or spouse will never turn to Christ…”suddenly” God steps in.

Imagine what Jesus is going to say to him, “I am Jesus you are persecuting prepare to die (rephrased reference from “the Princess Bride”). Quite the opposite there is a power and self control, even tenderness in His voice, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me? (v.4)”

Paul is like “what do you mean “you”? I was just throwing Christians in prison, my beef wasn’t with you. Yet how did Jesus see it? People that don’t think the church is that important or needs to be an important part of their life should consider how important it was to Jesus…Jesus refers to Paul’s persecution of the church as a personal attack of himself.

As only the Lord can do in breaking the stubbornness of a person, Paul realizes he deserves punishment. Instead God gives him this extravagant grace that totally transforms His life. Why? Because no one anywhere is too lost for God.

Third, we can learn that no one is too hard for the Gospel. If even this hardened man could be broken, be encouraged it is not impossible for those people that you love.

Forth, no one anywhere is too evil for God. Let’s be honest there are people that are so offensive and their ways are so evil that we are just repulsed by them. As Paul is blinded and headed to Damascus, the Lord begins to call the prophet Ananias to go there and meet him. The Lord gives Ananias very specific directions, can you imagine listening to the conversation

The Lord: ok go to the street called straight…

Ananias: great I am there, go to house of Judah…no problem,

The Lord: look for a man of tarsus named Saul…

Ananias: What? That is funny I thought you said Saul…
The Lord: I did

Ananias: He’s the guy doing all the harm to us and we have been hiding because that man was coming. We have been hoping he wouldn’t make it.

Can you relate to an Ananias? This man is so evil, look how much trouble he has caused. It was a pretty overwhelming obstacle, yet human obstacles are no barrier to God.

Ananias gives us a great picture of surrender, and God gives us a better picture of grace. “Arise go…he is a chosen instrument of mine. Take down the old label and help him put on the new.” All things are made new, Jesus doesn’t label him a murderer, persecutor, hater, or sinner; instead he is “my chosen instrument.” Thankfully we are not who are past says we are, a great picture of grace. No one is too evil for God.

What banners hang over your past that keeps you from growing in His grace? The cross eliminates our past, Paul said he was the chief of sinners but because of His grace I labor all the more (1 Corinthian 15:10).

What banner have you erected over other people? They can’t change, they are too gone, too evil, too hard, too…. But God sees them in a totally different way.

See the Gospel is not lacking power to transform. The Gospel is failing for lack of faith to believe it has total power to transform. Be renewed today that God’s power is limitless, and no one anywhere, under any circumstances is beyond His reach.