Tag: Paul

Posted in Different Scriptures

eyes opened to holiness

Posted on by Wick

In Acts 26:18, Paul is telling his story of meeting the resurrected Jesus on the road to persecute Christians in Damascus. Jesus tells him from now on, all are sanctified (made holy/set apart) by faith in Jesus. Not by our behavior, although putting our faith in Jesus necessarily involves our behavior. Just like putting our faith in a chair takes shape as we lower ourselves to rest fully on the foundation a chair’s seat can provide. If I told you I had faith in a particular chair, but you never saw me sit in it – you may begin to wonder if what I was saying was true. In the same way, we are not made holy by our performance, or by a list of what we do or don’t do. But our faith becomes reality as we live out the Lordship of Jesus and His Ways over and above what we might desire or what our world proclaims to be a desirable or profitable way. As we abide in Jesus, we are “sanctified”. What does that mean?

Let’s look at where else this same word is used. One of the most familiar places is in the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9, as we begin “Our Father in heaven, Holy is Your name.” Holy is your reputation. God is set apart and “otherly”. God is pure. The word is also used in the Old Testament, to put limits around Mount Sinai because it’s Holy (Ex. 19:23) or to “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy.” (Ex. 20:8). It’s also used in Ezekiel 37:28, as God speaks through His prophet to say, “Then the nations shall know that I the Lord sanctify Israel (“my people”), when my sanctuary (“dwelling place”) is among them forever.” Here we see why so many Jews might be upset with Paul to the point of wanting him silenced.

Paul declares that He has been obedient to the vision ever since. Not just a vision, but a “heavenly vision”. This is not something he dreamed on his own, or something he decided, but the words of Jesus directly, who spoke in Hebrew and is Lord. He declared those same words in Damascus, and then throughout Jerusalem, and Judea, and out into the Gentile world. Remember the words of Jesus Luke gave us at the beginning of Acts 1:8? “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Paul went out with this message from Jesus into the Gentile world, sharing the gospel – the “good news” that ALL could now repent, all could now turn from darkness to light, be brought into the authority of God, receive forgiveness from their sins, and be made Holy by faith in Jesus.

He not only encouraged them to repent intellectually, acknowledging the truth internally. He encouraged them to live in ways that were consistent with repentance. If we come to Jesus and claim all the freedoms and power in His name, but then live according to the same ways and patterns and oppressive forces that bound us previously – this is not a life that has turned fully toward the authority and presence of Jesus by His Spirit here and now.

But, Paul says, it was this bold message among the gentiles that caused the Jews to seize him and try to kill him. God has protected him up until this point, so that he can share his testimony with all who would listen in those moments – both those with lots of power, and even those who had no power. There were probably servants, and maybe even other prisoners in the room waiting for their chance to defend themselves. This “good news” was meant to be heard, and was powerfully available as the Truth for everyone – no matter who they were.

He highlights the impact of his message one more time – the reason he is being accused, is the same reason he defends himself. This is not something outside of Judaism, or a new faith he’s inventing. This was spoken of by the prophets and Moses long ago. The Messiah, Christ, must suffer, and being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the gentiles. This section of Acts 26 continues to speak of moving from darkness to light.

In the resurrection of Jesus, the light of New Creation shines on both Jews and Gentiles. As Peter declared in Acts 15:9, “in cleansing their (the Gentiles) hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us.”

Paul has been saying, the same holiness – the same “set apart”-ness that was only reserved for the Jewish people previously, was now branching out to graft in any gentile who came to God by faith in Jesus. In fact, he was saying, with Jesus being the fulfillment of the Law – this was the only way the Jewish people now came to God – through Jesus. Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

It was only through Jesus that anyone would now join the promise God made to Abraham long ago. We find the words in Genesis 12:2-3. Even today, they’re often read as if they apply only to the Jewish people, or to a modern nation state of Israel. But Paul declares that it’s only through Jesus that both Jews and Gentiles join the promise found in these words:

“I will make of you a great (people),and I will bless you and make your (reputation) great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who (speaks against) you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3) To believe the resurrected Jesus is the fulfillment of ancient Judaism for God’s Kingdom launching out into all humanity and creation is not a rejection of Jewish faith, but the beautiful way God always intended His story to redemptively grow, from His people Israel out into a renewed humanity.

We don’t see Paul telling those who listen “You will be cursed if you speak against me!” The word “curse” today has a very particular connotation. But this is the same word used in Genesis 3:17, “cursed is the ground because of you”. Adam didn’t pronounce a curse on the ground, but because he no longer lived in perfect relationship with God anymore, the natural order of creation had been damaged, broken, in need of repair/healing. The ground could even still be fruitful, but it would be incredibly difficult work, God tells them.

The promise from Genesis 12:2-3 doesn’t become something for Paul, or the Jewish people, or we as Christians today to use against our enemies – “You’ll be cursed if you speak against us (or “God’s people”)!” But when someone purposefully denies or turns away from the healing presence of Jesus, denies relationship with God and His body (the Church), they will continue living wounded, wounding, and in need of repair/healing. Our triumph over evil in Christ moves us with the compassion of Jesus toward those still living in the curse of bondage.

Such grace was scandalous to Jews who held tightly to their identity as “God’s chosen”, their control over the law and faith. But such grace enabled Paul to see, and offer sight to the blind. Will we live and walk in the light as those whose eyes are opened by Jesus? This is how we testify our faith in the reality of our resurrected Jesus.

Posted in Different Scriptures

missing from the “full armor”

Posted on by Wick

As I spent time this morning reflecting on the days’ lectionary passage, I was struck by something for the first time. This passage (Ephesians 6:10-20) I’d grown familiar with, since I was a boy, suddenly contained truth I hadn’t noticed before. More specifically I should say – as I asked God what He wanted me to notice, I became more and more aware of this particular Truth.

I remember learning about Ephesians 6 as a kid. We’d have physical belts, breastplates, shoes, shields, helmets, and even a sword. Putting on these fake pieces of “armor”, and stomping around the Sunday school room like an obnoxious child-soldier, I had opportunity to be the class clown AND teachers’ pet simultaneously. Those moments were always enjoyable for me, as an extrovert who wasn’t always particularly good at answering the teachers’ questions. Thankfully, I’ve matured in some ways since then. (mostly)

As I’ve grown, I’ve come to understand the importance of Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus. Whatever battle scenes I may have imagined Paul painting as a child have faded, and I hear the heart of Jesus in his words. He invites the church to cling to these solid foundations as vital to sustaining our faith in a world that doesn’t yet recognize/know Jesus as Lord fully.

It’s important to know and cling to the Truth of the gospel, no matter what our current experience happens to be, and live in that direction. It’s vital to remember the righteousness (the ways of justice, and right-ness) God desires, that becomes our life as we are found in Christ. We’re called to be people always ready to seek/promote the peace of reconciliation, taking it where Jesus leads us. We’re urged to hold fast to our faith, as a shield capable of deflecting the flaming arrows of the enemy (who is not a person/group, but a spiritual power or force/system). We put on our helmet of salvation, offered by the “head” of the body in Christ. We take up the sword, which is the Word of God empowered by the Holy Spirit (not words from a page, but the teaching of the gospel message).

But even in being fitted with all of this armor, there is usually something incredibly important missing. A crucial piece of being ready, and being able to “stand firm” that we don’t often include when we dress up that student in front of the class. Ready for it?

Paul is speaking with plural Greek words. Not to “you”, but to “ya’ll”.

This is not a battle we are preparing to fight alone. This is not something I can “do on my own”. This was not meant even for my family to seek to do on our own. There is something vitally important about the assumption Paul made to his audience in Ephesus – that all of this was something they were doing collectively. This comes through over and over again in his writing, especially as these words come only a couple chapters after he talks about the uniquely gifted parts of the body in Ephesians 4.

John Wesley even called this aspect of “Christian conference” one of the “Means of Grace”. We don’t discover “what is true for ourselves”, but rather wrestle together about what the Truth means for us all (and in each new season). We are shaped in His “Righteousness” as we come alongside one another, confessing our sins and being shaped vulnerably in His Light together. We promote peace graciously in the context of forgiving community, becoming a living refuge in a world where anxious communities form/bond in response to threats/fears. We lock shields of faith with those surrounding us, believing and testifying to the Love of God that has transformed us (and those before us), even when we feel attacked. We are bound together by our trust in the salvation offered in Jesus Christ, the “head” of which we are made one body. Finally, we wield the sword of God’s Word – not as something I grasp fully and completely on my own. Empowered by the Holy Spirit for understanding, we humbly approach the message of the gospel we have received and joined, with the global Church across all times and places.

May we never forget this incredibly important piece of “putting on the full armor of God”, so that we may “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power”…

Posted in Different Scriptures, Uncategorized

submitting to Freedom

Posted on by Wick

In reading of Paul and Silas in jail recently (from Acts 16), I was drawn to pay attention to part of the story happening in the background. The narrative we often celebrate are Paul and Silas, in chains and imprisoned right after being stripped/beaten/flogged. In the midst of singing hymns to God (v. 25), a violent earthquake shakes the foundations so that all the doors are opened and chains unfastened. What a miracle! The jailer enters the scene assuming the worst, and is thankful to discover Paul and Silas and the others are all still there! He’s drawn to Jesus, becomes a believer, and his entire family is baptized as they enter this new community of “The Way”. The story continues forward after that.

Mamertine Prison, Rome – Just one of the places Paul spent time imprisoned

But looking back over those moments there’s a story within, we often overlook. There in that prison were other prisoners, even though we’re not sure their number or the crimes they committed. We can assume there are some in the prison who deserve to be there. Yet when the earthquake happens and the chains and doors are unfastened – everyone remains. Why might that be?

For that answer, we look back to verse 25, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”

I remember sitting in the waiting area of a doctor’s office on our honeymoon (we both had tonsillitis, yuck). As I waited for Sarah, I met an older man and we began to talk. He had served the country in combat, and was telling me a story of his escape from a POW camp in Germany. I didn’t know him that well, but I was riveted. I would have listened for hours.

I imagine the fellow prisoners surrounding Paul and Silas, seeing them beaten and suffering. I imagine their countenance as they entered the prison – genuinely thankful for new witnesses to share the good news with. The compassion they may have looked upon the other inmates with, even through swollen eyes. The whispers of “Have you heard??…” as rumors swirled about all the things these followers of Jesus had seen and experienced. Stories were shared, no doubt: Paul’s vision of Jesus, and work with so many churches. Silas’ prophetic words for those in the prison. The conversion of the local woman, Lydia. The other prisoners would have been transformed in hearing about Jesus, and in listening to the worship being offered in such a low place of pain and suffering. It’s a testimony to the the Holy Spirit we believe is active in these moments.

I believe the other prisoners were transformed by the witness of Paul and Silas, in ways that made them so aware of freedom in Christ, the chains and doors being unfastened seemed to make little difference to their present condition. They had already been set free in Jesus.

We’re reminded by all of these things – to be those who are willing to share our stories of God working in our lives. Speak of the hope and the peace you have, even as one who is looking honestly at our world; as one who has wounds from being hurt by it. Those around you today may have chains of bondage you’re completely unaware of, and you are able to offer freedom simply by sharing the living presence and Love of Jesus in Your words.

We’re also reminded – the story of who becomes transformed by our words may never be shared. Our world often celebrates the most compelling (or most profitable) narratives, but leaves many to be known only by those who live them. That doesn’t make such stories less important to the Kingdom. Every one of those prisoners who came to know Jesus is just as precious to God as the jailer, or Paul and Silas themselves. In fact, in the stories written down or passed on to their families and loved ones – the fact that they remained in prison that night instead of escaping -offered powerful testimony that revealed the absolute freedom Jesus offers.

Maybe that’s the message you need today also – even more than other aspects of the story. You need reminded of the Freedom we have when we come and submit all of our identity, our story, our shame, our hurts, and our joys to Jesus. It’s a freedom that transcends the momentary/temporal experiences we face. The peace of full submission to His Loving Freedom is so much more powerful than the temptation to run when we see an open door.

May we be challenged by all of this today in healthy ways. In a world that counts pageviews, book deals, and followers/subscribers, may we humbly and gladly submit our stories to being “His” story, revealing and responding to Love wherever and however we can. May we relate to all others today understanding that in life there are no “major/minor characters”, as all have become part of His redemptive narrative of Love.