The conversion of Saul of Tarsus was one of the greatest events of human history. His salvation meant so much for the growth of the early church that he became the dominant figure in the second portion of the book of Acts. Before that event, he was the chief opponent of Christianity. Afterward, he became the chief proponent. And Saul would say that if he can be saved, anybody can.

Acts 9 opens with Saul's attempt to stop Christianity from spreading. "As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And he said, 'Who are You, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' So he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do You want me to do?'" (vv. 3-6).

In that moment, Saul realized two things. First, that this Jesus, whom he thought was dead, was actually alive. And second, that Jesus Christ was one with His people on Earth, inextricably entwined with them—because He said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (v. 5). He didn't say, "You're persecuting My church." He said, "You're persecuting Me." In other words, "When you hurt My people, I take that personally."

But I want you to focus in on the two questions Saul asked. "Who are You, Lord?" (v. 5) was quickly answered. He knew Jesus was alive and that He was supreme, that He was Deity. So when he said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" (v. 6), this was Saul recognizing that fact.

Verse 6, I believe, is the hinge point of his conversion. This is where he was saved. It was a very sudden process. He fell to the ground, he heard the voice of Jesus, and it led to conviction and conversion. "Lord, what do You want me to do?" was his resignation. It was the same as him saying, "I'm resigning myself to You."

Now, those two questions from Saul are the same two questions I believe every one of us must also ask: "Who are You, Lord?" and "What do You want me to do?"

Some of you have been around church and around God your whole life, but you've never settled the vital question of "Who is Christ?" You've heard sermons. You've listened to Bible teachings, but you've never wrestled with that question.

I once spoke to a young man in the foyer who had all sorts of different issues and beliefs. So I hit him with that question. I said, "Who is Jesus Christ to you? Is He the Son of God?" He replied, "Well, I've been dealing with that a long time." I told him, "Well, now's the time when you should get that answered. Get it settled."

Who is Jesus Christ? Answer that question. Once you've answered that question, and you think that He is the Lord, and you resign to that identity, then you should ask, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"

There's nothing more exciting than living your life after getting those questions answered: "Who are You, Lord?" and "Lord, what do You want me to do?" When you wake up each morning and you ask Him, "What do You want me to do?" that's when your life becomes "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).