Persecution

 And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
Acts 26:15 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/act.26.15.ESV

The very fact Saul referred to Jesus as Lord betrays the fact he already knew who He is even as he asked. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. He was guilty and he knew it.

Saul was travelling to Damascus to persecute followers of Christ's Way when the resurrected Lord arrested him on the road. We still refer to a dramatic about turn as a Damascene conversion. Saul very quickly came to realise that Jesus is Lord.

Jesus might be Saviour and Lord, but that doesn't guarantee His people a life free of persecution. In fact, He promises the persecuted blessing and great reward in heaven. When God's people are persecuted, He Himself is hurt by it.

When people touch the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, they touch the apple of His eye. When the Sovereign Lord is pained, He's not going to let the perpetrators get away with it. The saying may be crude, but we must 'turn or burn'!

'Sovereign Lord, forbid that we should grieve Your Holy Spirit. May we honour You in our lives, and repent of our wrongdoings. In Christ's name, amen'

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