Who me…Yes You
Paul was something else. Like a
lot of people who get caught up in their own righteousness, Paul thought he was
doing God’s will. The new movement that was founded on the teachings of a man
called Jesus was in Paul’s mind taking away from what was right and just. Paul
was known for persecuting Christians; he publicly despised the teachings of
Christ. Paul was his own man; he had a good job, was respected by some, and he
was feared by many. The way of the world was the road he followed. On the
surface you would be hard pressed to find
a more unworthy vessel for bringing the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. Do
you ever feel like Paul? Do people look at you and say you are a waste, or look
at you as a liability? Do you feel as if your mistakes outweigh any use God
could have for you? Well my brothers and my sisters, you may feel as if you are
in Paul’s shoes, but don’t stop reading, and don’t stop believing. Let’s take a
look at where those shoes brought Paul, and where they will ultimately bring…you.
The road of life is very much
like that road to Damascus, where Paul was stopped by Christ in the form of a
bright, blinding vision. You see on that road Paul was confronted with the
inescapable truth of life: if you don’t believe in the ministry, the message,
and the mission of the Son of God, Jesus Christ you are not supporting the
kingdom.
This vision literally blinded
Paul to the ways and influences of the world he loved and wholly supported.3 things
happened:
It made him rely on Jesus,
It made him forsake tradition,
and
It forced him to relinquish
control.
When you and I find ourselves at that
point when all of our resources, wit, and worldly influence can not fill that
void that is always there, we have to ask ourselves, "Are we on that road
to Damascus?" When nothing is ever enough, when we have all the material trappings, and the
social status we want, but late at night we still cry, aren't we on that road
to Damascus? Well when, not if, but when, we find ourselves on that road we
should take a cue from Paul and have guts! Paul was physically blinded by the
truth that he had experienced, and he had to allow himself to be lead by
Christ. The only way that Paul could see again was to go to Damascus, seek out
a stranger who would certainly not trust him, and humble himself by asking to
be healed in Jesus' name.
Understand this was not easy for Paul; here was a man who was in
"control" of his life. Now he was subjected to asking someone who he saw
as his inferior for help, in the name of one he previously didn’t believe in,
Jesus Christ. Paul had to allow
himself to be taught. That can be
a challenge for many of us… but remember beloved sometimes one has to abase in
self to abound in Christ.
When Paul accepted God’s chastisement and
instruction, he was free. When he abased and asked to be healed in Jesus' name,
he left the road of life, and joined the road to salvation. Like the songwriter
said, "When we have done all we can--just stand." We must allow God
to
transform our roads into journeys
for and towards him. When we free ourselves of the enemy's lies and the judgments
of the self-righteous we are broken, humbled and most of all receptive, thus we
are ready for God to step in.
Now before we go on…lets be real… make no mistake
this takes guts. Allowing God to lead our lives may leave us feeling lonely and
misunderstood; it may even cause other Christians to
judge us harshly. These things
happen, but we must not lose faith, we must look to the Word for some examples
of people who have walked this
road before.
Paul was no longer trusted by his
friends and the Christians he now allied himself with, but he stood his ground.
Jesus was reviled by many in
authority, repelled by those who didn’t believe his message, and
ultimately rejected by many of
those he came to save. However Jesus stood His ground. Even on the cross he said,
“Father
forgive them
for
they know not what they do (Luke 23:24).”
As followers and believers in
Christ we must have faith and stand our ground in the face of adversity. Acceptance of Jesus
is the paramount decision that we all face…In the wake of that choice HE will
give you the strength to Stand
When family doesn’t understand
us, we must stand.
When friends abandon us, we must stand.
When Satan attacks us at every
turn, we must know that we are making
him mad, and we must continue to Stand.
When tradition and legalism rule,
and the Word of Christ is an
afterthought, take a stand and
make changes. Its not easy but Lord GOD it’s Right!!! To Stand on His Word and
His Promises.
Remember the promises of the Word
of God:
“Lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age
(Matt.
28:20)." “All that the Father gives Me will come
to Me, and the
one who comes to Me I will by no means
cast out (John
6:37)." "And this is the will of Him who
sent Me, that
everyone who sees the Son and believes in
Him may have
everlasting life; and I will raise him up
at the last day
(John 6:40)."
The word of God will never come
back void. Brothers and sisters know this, GOD CANNOT
LIE!!!
He will never leave us,
He will never forsake us,
He will always love us,
and
He will always be with us.
But remember You…(Who me…Yes You)
Stand with God never leave Him, He has, He is, and He
always will
Stand up for us.Lets make sure we do for and with Him
May God bless you and may God
keep you.
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