When
you tell people about God and Jesus, do you focus on their love or their
judgment?
I
think some people probably focus on one or the other. Paul, of course, did a
wonderful job of highlighting both. As we talked last week, he was courageously
consistent to all audiences, whether commoners or top officials (such as with
governor Felix).
Acts
24:24-26 24 Several days later Felix came with his
wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he
spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul talked
about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was
afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it
convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same
time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him
frequently and talked with him. 27 When two
years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix
wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Like
Governor Felix, people often don’t want to talk or hear about God as Judge or
that they may need to make changes in order to follow Christ. Earlier this
year, James had several conversations with his fellow gymnastics’ peers and
coaches. He told them God was real, loved them, etc. He was so saddened that
many of them blew him off, didn’t believe in God and didn’t want to talk about
Him. In one conversation he shared that if they didn’t believe in God then they
would go to Hell. I first cringed, thinking he was a bit harsh. However, he was
sharing the whole truth! He also did it out of a heart of love and not trying
to scare them into belief.
May
we be like Paul and James, able to consistently share the whole truth of God
with those He places in our path to hear. May we gently and lovingly share
God’s love and the truths of Him as the perfect Judge.
Lord,
help us follow your lead for your words and timing.
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