Persecuting Christ

[tony.h...@fbcrpb.com]

SOAP
6/16/08


S: Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the
disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and requested letters
from him to the • synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who
belonged to the Way, either men or women, he might bring them as
prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a
light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 Falling to the
ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you
persecuting Me?” Acts 9:1-4 (HCSB)

O: There are times in our lives when we believe that we are doing what
God wants us to do, but in actuality, we are doing the opposite. Paul
truly believed that he was serving God by persecuting the followers of
Jesus. Where does this type of confusion come from? For Paul, there
was a battle in his mind between the traditions of his heritage and
the revelation of God. In the beginning, Paul practiced a type of
idolatry by allowing Jewish tradition to be a god in his life.

How often do we serve false gods, mistakenly thinking that we are
honoring the true God? How often do we serve as gods: jobs, finances,
relationships, ambitions, etc. while thinking we are being good
Christians? When Christ asked Paul why are you persecuting me, He was
implying that Paul’s actions in harassing believers and seeking to
stop the spread of the gospel were actually directed toward Christ
himself.

A: God is very clear what he expects from us: obedience to his call on
our lives. Like Paul we are too often oblivious to His expectations
while we pursue our own desires and ambitions and call them religion.
I must stop and get back to simple obedience to call of God on my
life: to follow Jesus’ commands in obedience and to be a witness of
his saving work in the world. If I am not doing these, then I am
deluded and persecuting Christ. While I may not be actively harassing
Christians or seeking to stop the spread of the gospel, my lack of
commitment to the gospel and my disobedience to the call of God in my
life is in essence no difference than that of Paul’s.

P: Lord forgive me for my lack of commitment to Your call in my life,
especially when it comes to your gospel and being an intentional
witness. I have not taken your word seriously and lived my life as a
bold and uncompromising witness for You. Forgive me and change me. As
Paul did, I recommit my life today to you and ask forgiveness and to
be put into effective service for You.