Acts 26. Finally, the Apostle Paul has his day in court in Caesarea before King Agrippa and Governor Festus. Paul tells his entire conversion story, from who he used to be, the bright light encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, and then his mission in the years that followed.

On the road to Damascus, the Lord told Paul to rise and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and those in which I will appear to you (26:16). Paul was appointed to bear witness to all that he had seen.

This tasking from the Lord should sound familiar to us. It is the same command the risen Christ gave to the disciples. “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) The entire charge given to all followers of Jesus was to go out, tell everyone what they had witnessed, and preach the gospel everywhere.

We are ALL called to bear witness to what we have seen, heard, and understand to be true about the gospel. What is the essence of the gospel message? Paul states is clearly in his testimony:

I am sending you to the gentiles to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified (set apart/made holy) by faith in me (26:18).

The truth of the gospel message will open our eyes. The power of the gospel turns us away from darkness, bondage, and the power of the evil one – to the power of God, freedom, truth, and light. The gospel changes lives. The gospel changes the ownership of our souls. The gospel offers us forgiveness for sins and sets us apart as the people of God, made holy because of the holiness of Jesus Christ.

That, my friends, is good news. Paul understood that his task was to proclaim the light to both Jews and Gentiles (26:23).

How are you and I doing at proclaiming the light? What work of God in your life can you bear witness to? What is your story of how you came to a relationship with Jesus? Have you ever practiced telling your story? Who might need to hear your story?

As you watch fireworks this Fourth of July weekend, think about how amazingly bright and captivating the light from fireworks can be. What if every time someone came to Jesus there were fireworks?!

There are many people who walk in darkness and do not even understand it. We are called to proclaim the light. Ask the Lord to give you opportunities to do exactly that.