It must have been difficult for the Jerusalem Jews to see Paul, formerly one of them, making a bold defense for the Gospel of Christ. It is no wonder that they feel compelled to try and discredit and destroy him. He was part of their inner circle and now was, to their mind, a turncoat.
The power of the Gospel to transform will always be offensive to those who are steeped in pride, greed, and selfishness. Their hearts, hardened by their own selfish ambition, will seek to find weaknesses and inconsistencies to exploit so that they can dismiss the truth.
That's why it is an important goal for us, as God's people, to try and live lives above reproach -- so as not to give the world any cause to dismiss the Gospel because of our own personal failures.
Obviously we are sinners and there will always be some inconsistency to which our adversaries can point with derision. Nevertheless, God's grace can be made evident even in our weaknesses, so that He can even employ our failures to serve His truth.
Paul is a good example. My faith is strengthened when I realize God can use even one who once persecuted the Church as His chosen instrument.
We are, after all, not perfect, just forgiven!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Fee free to add your comments!