Acts 18:1-17 Truth In Corinth

Acts 18:1-17 NIV
Paul does relatively well in Corinth. That is; he is able to testify that Jesus is the Messiah for about a year and a half in relative peace. I say relative because at one point he shook out his clothes in protest against the Jews who opposed his teaching and told them that from then on he was going to the Gentiles. The truth was not without opposition, even in Corinth.

Have you ever been in a debate that is pretty much one-sided? No matter what you say the other person shouts you down? They might even scream at you or threaten you if you don't shut up? They are adamant that their way is right and are not open to hearing any other truth. There are times when we must shake the dust off our shoes and move on. When, no matter what we say, we run up against bullies who will reject you and the healing word that you bring, then it may be best to quit wasting our and their time and move on to those who will hear and if they have doubts or questions will ask with an open heart and mind; desiring to hear and understand.

Debate is good. Discussion is good. But, both sides must be open to empathic listening to the other person. Paul presented the truth with reasoning from scripture. He did this with empathy, understanding where they were coming from. When certain people would not listen to the truth about Jesus, Paul simply moved on. He did not attack them as he had been attacked.

May God soften the hearts of those who reject the truth and who persecute those who are trying to help them follow in a better way.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 14:1-7 Move On

Acts 14:1-7 NIV
Paul and Barnabas have just left Pisidian Antioch because of the trouble stirred up against them. They left shaking the dust off of their feet as a warning to them. (Acts 13:51, Matt 10:14) Today, we find them proclaiming the Good News and performing signs and wonders in Iconium. Many came to believe because of their testimony; but, again many did not. As in Pisidian Antioch, those who refused to believe stirred up trouble against them. They left Iconium, as well, to go to Lystra and Derbe where they continued to preach the Gospel.

Sometimes, it is necessary to shake the dust off of our feet and move on. There may come a time when persecution by a few becomes so prevalent that proclaiming the Gospel becomes secondary to thwarting attacks. It may be that in times like these that it becomes necessary to move on to those who are willing to hear what God has done and is doing for us. As we waste countless hours thwarting attacks by the enemies of God, we should consider how many people we are not reaching with the Gospel. It is a work of the devil to keep us from joyously sharing this Good News.

There are times when it might be necessary to shake the dust off of our feet and move on. May God grant us the wisdom to know when to persevere in one place and when to move on for the sake of the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 59 - Shun Evil, Shake The Dust Off Your Feet

^"Truth is nowhere to be found,
    and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.

The Lord looked and was displeased
    that there was no justice." (Isa 59:25 NIV)

 

It is a very sad thing that those who shun evil often become the prey. Looked upon by much of society as misfits, outcasts, religious zealots, those who look to speak the truth with integrity and shun the shenanigans of those who want to stir up trouble for the faithful; they become fair game, targets; as though they had VICTIM imprinted on their foreheads. Sadly, that is the lot of many faithful Christians... to be persecuted for what they believe. This includes even within families. How many couples do you know, where one spouse belittles and derides the other for their faith? How many brothers or sisters attack another because they strive to live in the truth? And... even in the church... How often have you heard that one is not a Christian because they don't/won't go along with everything that others within the church say or do? Love is the ultimate word. We have to love and accept everyone. Love is great. It is the greatest! (1 Corinth 13:13) But, love sometimes calls us to do the hard thing. It does not call us to accept evil as something good. Love sometimes calls us to confront those who would persecute others with their evil tongues. I'm ok, you're ok is not the truth, anything and everything goes is not ok. We are only ok; we are only saved, by the blood of Jesus. That is a love that calls us to do the hard thing. It calls us to take up our cross and follow Him (Matt 10:38, 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23), not in the world's way of persecuting those who follow Him, but in His Way.

There are times when we must shun evil even if it means we will become someone's prey; the target of their gossip or other persecutions. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all advise us to : "And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” (Mark 6:11, see also Matt 10:14, Luke 9:5)

One of my most difficult lessons in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) while in seminary was to learn to shake the dust off my feet. That is: to not focus so much attention on visits to those who refused to listen and to focus more time on those who want to hear God's promises. Pastors often get called to crisis'. Sometimes, though, answering every (repeated) call to those one or two who need help; yet refuse to actually listen even as they are receiving financial or other aid repeatedly from the congregation, sometimes takes away from the ministry of the people who actually want and need Pastoral care and other assistance; away from those whom who desire and need the help of the LORD. Is there justice in supporting the persecutor and ignoring the needs of the persecuted? Sadly, sometimes, you just have to shake the dust from your feet as you walk away from those who would continue to deride the name and the power of God to save. Sometimes, you just have to walk away; as pastoral care can sometimes become enabling rather than empowering. Sometimes, "tough love" is the only real love that can be applied to do God's will.

 

Sound harsh? I thought so and  I still think so. But, the truth is that there is a whole world of people in need out there and there are only so many hours in a day. To whom shall we go; to those who will listen and be made whole or to those who repeatedly reject the truth, the Word of the LORD; to those who have turned their backs on Him and make no bones about doing that? To whom shall we bring a word of comfort; those who persecute or those who are persecuted?

 

In order that you don't misunderstand me... I am not saying that we should not visit or share the Good News with those who persecute others. They, too, need to hear the promises of God for them. Jesus, in fact, encouraged us strongly, to visit those in prison (physical or spiritual). They are indeed hurting and in need of care. I am saying; however, that once you have planted the seed, if the Word is rejected, move on. Saul (St. Paul) had been one of the persecutors who made a career out of making Christians his prey. Once the Word came to Him, he was saved. But, it took only one hearing of the Word! Once Jesus introduced himself to him, Saul repented and was saved. And... then what happened, he, himself, became one of the persecuted for proclaiming the Truth, who is Jesus the Christ!

A hard word today, but there is a great promise in our reading, a comforting promise, for all who believe, for the prey who shun evil, for those who are persecuted, and it is this:

 

"“The Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”
declares the Lord.

“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord." (Isa 59:20-21 NIV)

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 18 - What Faith!

What faith!  What confidence, the writer of Psalm 18 has in the LORD! 

If only we could all trust in Him as David does.  David is totally confident that God is his fortress and his deliverer.  God is his rock!  Trusting in the LORD, David declares all this and what is more, David declares his love for the LORD.  He praises God.

Just wondering what would happen if for just one day, every Christian would stand up and boldly declare their love of the LORD.  What would happen if, for just one day, every one who professes to be a follower of Jesus, would truly trust Him and not themselves for their salvation?  What would happen if we called out in distress, and knew (absolutely knew) that God would deliver us?

We can know this.  But, do we really believe it?  What would happen?  How would this change not only our own lives, but the world?

May the one who can make the earth tremble and shake the very foundations of the mountains, help us to understand and to truely believe that He is the God of our salvation.  There is no other.

God's Peace - Pr. J