Made New
Acts 9:1-22
As the new year begins, many of us reflect on who we are and who
we want to become. True transformation begins with asking, 'Who
does God say I am? The world around us constantly tries to answer
it for us - friends, family, social media, and culture all offer
competing definitions. None of these voices can truly define who
you truly are. The poet Charles Bukowski once asked, 'Can you
remember who you were before the world told you who you are?'
His question invites us to reflect on our identity beyond worldly
influences. As Christians, the answer lies not in reclaiming who we
once were but in discovering who God is making us to be through
His grace.
One of the most powerful examples of God’s transforming grace is
found in the life of Saul. In Acts 9, we meet Saul as a man filled
with anger and hatred toward Christians. He believed he was on
the right path, convinced his actions were righteous. But God had a
different plan. Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to
Damascus changed everything. He went from persecuting
Christians to proclaiming Christ. Saul didn’t seek out
transformation - God sought him.
Sometimes we’re too consumed with our own plans to see God at
work in our lives. Saul’s story reminds us that transformation
happens when we encounter Jesus. As Paul later wrote in 2
Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The
old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Like Saul, we’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all fallen short. Our past
doesn’t define us - God’s grace does. When we surrender to Him,
He can transform our lives in ways we never thought were
possible. Our transformation journey begins with giving our lives
fully over to Jesus.
As you begin this new year, take time to reflect on your own
relationship with Jesus. Are you letting God define your identity, or
are you still listening to the world? Surrender your plans and your
life to Him, and let His transforming power make you new.
Discussion Questions:
1. What voices tend to shape how you see yourself (e.g., culture,
family, past experiences)? How can we tune out the world’s voices
and listen to God’s voice?
2. What parts of your old life are hardest to let go of? Why?
3. How has God’s grace shown up in your life, even when you
weren’t looking for it?