29th April 2022
God changed the leopard’s spots
… the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”
Acts 9:15 (NIV)
Have you heard the proverbial saying ‘a leopard can’t change its spots’? It is used to express the notion that things cannot change their innate nature. I am not sure about leopards but I do know that it is very difficult for a human to make permanent changes, whether it is to stop doing something harmful, like eating or drinking too much, or to start doing something good like exercising more.
Habits are difficult to change, but when it comes to our very nature: how we think, behave and speak, change seems impossible. At times even the desire to change is beyond our means. Perhaps that’s why we are drawn to stories of people who have successfully changed or been transformed in some way.
The story of the Apostle Paul’s conversion is dramatic and tells of an abrupt and complete turnaround. One minute Saul, as he was known then, was heading down the road to Damascus with letters which gave him the authority to take anyone who followed Jesus to prison. The next minute all that had changed:
‘…suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ’ (Acts 9:3-6 NIV).
Paul had lost his sight and it wasn’t until a few days later that Ananias visited him in the city of Damascus. He laid hands on him, the Holy Spirit entered into him, and the scales dropped from his eyes. He could see once more but everything had changed, and the change was permanent.
Paul immediately began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. Those who heard him were astonished at what he was saying and didn’t trust him. Who could blame them? Wasn’t Paul present when Stephen was stoned? Hadn’t he vehemently persecuted many Christians? Perhaps they were thinking it was just a ruse to imprison more new believers. But it wasn’t. Paul had really changed and for the good. Instead of persecuting Christians God used his zeal and energy to proclaim the good news to the gentiles. What a transformation!
With God all things are possible and there is no one that is beyond His reach or beyond His forgiveness. Paul was now God’s chosen instrument and God knew what he wanted him to do. It didn’t matter what Paul had done in the past. What was important was what he was going to do with God in the future.
I find this encouraging. We too can be forgiven for our past mistakes, no matter what they are. The Holy Spirit can transform our lives and, like Paul, we can be used as an instrument to do God’s will. As we look at other people we need to remember not to judge; only God can see our true potential. He can change our spots.
Prayer
Our heavenly father, let us turn to you and be yielded to the Holy Spirit as He transforms us into the image of your son Jesus Christ, and please use us as instruments to do your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by Jackie Mill
About the writer:
Jackie Mill is a Minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Co-Pastor for Scotland and Ireland.
Local congregation:
GCI, Edinburgh – Edinburgh has a zoom service at the moment. For details email the local congregational contact below.
Local congregational contact:
Peter Mill
Email: edinburgh@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church