The mountains of North Carolina this time of year sing beautiful praises to God and His incredible creativity. The valleys and mountains are full of color and majesty. The average temperature is in the seventies and the lows at night get into the mid-fifties. I say this not to brag (much – lol) but to offer a different perspective on summer living. In southwest Florida, the heat is on and many find relief in our pools and beaches. Some enjoy the cool, while others enjoy the heat. It all depends on your perspective.
Looking at Apostle Paul’s life can also offer different perspectives into how we should live life. Paul was named Saul before he had an encounter with the resurrected Jesus Christ. Saul had some unique qualities about him, in that he was not only a Roman citizen but also Jewish. He persecuted Christians to the extreme point of death by stoning, as we read about Stephen, the first Christian martyr in Acts 7:54-60. Chapter 8, verse 1 reads; And Saul approved of their killing him (Stephen). Saul thought he was so right and yet he was so wrong.
Stephen had been preaching to Jews just before they took the harsh action of stoning Stephen. The argument was simple; Stephen preached Jesus as The Son of God and the Jews did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Both groups stood on statements of faith but from very different perspectives. And one group decided they did not like what the other group (or person Stephen) said, so they killed him because he preached Jesus.
So, when Christ asks Saul the question on the road to Damascus, “Saul, why do you persecute me?” there is substance for Jesus asking Saul this question. Saul is then blinded for three days. This is ample time for Saul to consider his life; his choices; his faith; and the direction of his life. Saul now had a different perspective on life to consider. This brings two questions to mind that give us the framework of the Damascus Road experience that Paul encountered.
Are we living a life that glorifies God and carries out the mission Jesus has called us to as Christians? How seriously do we take our faith in Jesus?
These questions come as we consider Stephen. Clearly, Stephen felt compelled to share the Good News concerning Jesus Christ that he heard, received and accepted. He felt so strongly about this that he had to share this news with others because life is not guaranteed to continue past this moment. Stephen shared this news and one thing scripture doesn’t tell us is how many Jews that heard his passionate preaching, reconsidered their positions and said yes to faith in Jesus. We will never know the answer to this before we get to heaven. This does teach us that we have to plant the seeds of faith; water them whenever possible; and be ready to harvest what has been planted. (Pray with others to receive Christ as their Savior.)
The change that came over Saul after Jesus forgave him of his sins and tasked him with the mission to preach the good news – was significant. Paul had an encounter with Christ that would forever change the landscape of Christianity as Paul preached Jesus; planted churches; wrote letters and books of the New Testament; and had his own life completely transformed.
How is your transformation coming along? Have you had a talk with Jesus about how to use your gifts, talents and treasures to see others come to faith in Christ? Please prayerfully ask God to equip, empower and send you out to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. I invite you to be an active part of our mission here at FMCC. We work the fields together my friends.
God loves you and so do I,
What is Your Perspective?
