Paul was a product of his culture. In the Book of Acts of the Apostles, Paul himself tells us that he is “a Pharisee, born of Pharisees” (Acts 23:6) and “zealous for God” (Acts 22:3). It made sense, given his culture and training, that he would defend the Jewish tradition in which he was raised against those who followed “the Way.”

They were, after all, a dangerous sect that was threatening his ancestral “law.”Paul’s single-minded fidelity to his culture and training makes me wonder, what does it mean for each of us to be a product of our culture? Like Paul, what ancestral “law” might we be clinging to that the Lord is inviting us beyond?
What social custom affects your Christian living?

Fortunately for Paul, Jesus intervenes directly, telling him precisely who he is persecuting: “I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting” (Acts 2:8).  By persecuting those who followed “the Way,” Paul was persecuting Jesus directly. We’ve all heard talk of “Road to Damascus” experiences where a person undergoes a dramatic conversion experience as a result of a direct and overwhelming experience of the divine.  After such a conversion experience, the person is irreversibly altered.

A deeper intimacy with God compels new actions and a new way life. Is it any wonder that Ananias’ first directive to Paul after he regains his sight is “Get up and have yourself baptized”?But what about us?  Some of us may have dramatic experiences similar to Paul’s, but I suspect for most of us it is a bit more subtle. Paul’s experience still has a lot to offer us today as we work in our own lives to discern where Jesus might be inviting us.

In the face of this reality, one might wonder, how might we can offer our hearts anew, asking God for the gift of conversion, so that our actions and lives grow ever closer to sharing the joys and sorrows of the crucified of today? How might we all? And what kind of world would it be if we did?

Osho