“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples,
but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.”
– Acts 9:26
Let’s face it, at the root of our being, most people don’t
like change. We become comfortable with
our lives and routines because it decreases the stress and creates an environment
of control. When change does come upon
us have you noticed how quick others are to be critical and challenge the
newness? I believe it is in our human
nature to be skeptical and cautious around others that demonstrate a
significant change in life. Depending on
the significance of the change, it may take years to once again gain the
confidence and strength of some relationships.
I think of the great author C.S. Lewis.
At a young age, he was known atheist and debater against the belief in
God. He had described himself as “being angry with God for not existing.” In his later 20’s and early 30’s he
encountered God through debates with his friend J. R. R. Tolkien; while at
Oxford University. As he described his
own conversion, “..was brought into Christianity
like a prodigal, kicking, struggling, resentful and darting his eyes in every
direction for a chance to escape.”
Since his conversion, he has become one of the most influential
Christian authors of the 20th century.
Picture in your mind someone in the 21st century with a known and professed hatred of Christians. Think of someone who has devoted their life to destroying the Christian church, even to the point of arresting and murdering Christians in honor of their belief in God. Now, imagine that this person showed up in your city tonight and was holding a Christ centered revival. What is your immediate thought? I can tell you mine would be very skeptical, very cautious and there is a strong likelihood that my biasness’ and understanding of the person’s past would get in the way of my accepting him/her as a new follower of Jesus Christ. I am so confident in my understanding of this person’s past, that I would find it very difficult to accept that God could or would want to use them for His future. That’s exactly what happened to Paul.
As Paul returned to Jerusalem after his conversion and time spent in Arabia, he was not accepted by the followers of Jesus Christ. They knew his past and could not fathom that he could have been converted. To them I’m sure it seemed like he was plotting, scheming to get them all together just so he could capture them all at one time. Gaining the trust of the disciples would take years for Paul. Eventually though, by his actions, his testimony and his demonstration of the love of Jesus Christ they came around to accept him for who God had called him to be.
We will be challenged in our faith. People will question the authenticity of what we are saying because they know our past. The important thing to do, is stay focused on the One who called you and spreading His truth to any and all. Just as some will challenge your faith, we must be cautious of challenging other’s faith and profession of Jesus Christ as Lord. Jesus Christ blood can redeem even the most vicious and evil men we can think of. If that is not true, then He did not die for all of our sins. His death on that cross and resurrection was not for a select group of individuals, and not for others. No, it was for all of mankind’s sins. It is not our prerogative to decide who has and who has not received the salvation of Jesus Christ. Only God knows the condition of a man’s heart. We must remain focused on the act of forgiveness and allow God to focus on the act of justice. Consider this scripture of Paul’s acceptance as you look at those around you. There may come a day when you are face to face with the next great missionary for God’s kingdom. Be careful not to judge them on their past, but on what God can do with their future.
Picture in your mind someone in the 21st century with a known and professed hatred of Christians. Think of someone who has devoted their life to destroying the Christian church, even to the point of arresting and murdering Christians in honor of their belief in God. Now, imagine that this person showed up in your city tonight and was holding a Christ centered revival. What is your immediate thought? I can tell you mine would be very skeptical, very cautious and there is a strong likelihood that my biasness’ and understanding of the person’s past would get in the way of my accepting him/her as a new follower of Jesus Christ. I am so confident in my understanding of this person’s past, that I would find it very difficult to accept that God could or would want to use them for His future. That’s exactly what happened to Paul.
As Paul returned to Jerusalem after his conversion and time spent in Arabia, he was not accepted by the followers of Jesus Christ. They knew his past and could not fathom that he could have been converted. To them I’m sure it seemed like he was plotting, scheming to get them all together just so he could capture them all at one time. Gaining the trust of the disciples would take years for Paul. Eventually though, by his actions, his testimony and his demonstration of the love of Jesus Christ they came around to accept him for who God had called him to be.
We will be challenged in our faith. People will question the authenticity of what we are saying because they know our past. The important thing to do, is stay focused on the One who called you and spreading His truth to any and all. Just as some will challenge your faith, we must be cautious of challenging other’s faith and profession of Jesus Christ as Lord. Jesus Christ blood can redeem even the most vicious and evil men we can think of. If that is not true, then He did not die for all of our sins. His death on that cross and resurrection was not for a select group of individuals, and not for others. No, it was for all of mankind’s sins. It is not our prerogative to decide who has and who has not received the salvation of Jesus Christ. Only God knows the condition of a man’s heart. We must remain focused on the act of forgiveness and allow God to focus on the act of justice. Consider this scripture of Paul’s acceptance as you look at those around you. There may come a day when you are face to face with the next great missionary for God’s kingdom. Be careful not to judge them on their past, but on what God can do with their future.
Prayer:
Lord,
Today let us see through Your eyes. Let us accept the grace of Your salvation in it’s completeness. Help us to be non-judgmental against our brothers and sisters in Your grace, and give us the discernment to realize when others are using Your name as a deceptive tool. We acknowledge that You are sovereign and can use any person You choose for Your kingdom. Help us to see Your love, mercy and kindness expressed through other’s actions. In Your name we pray - Amen
Lord,
Today let us see through Your eyes. Let us accept the grace of Your salvation in it’s completeness. Help us to be non-judgmental against our brothers and sisters in Your grace, and give us the discernment to realize when others are using Your name as a deceptive tool. We acknowledge that You are sovereign and can use any person You choose for Your kingdom. Help us to see Your love, mercy and kindness expressed through other’s actions. In Your name we pray - Amen
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