A Radical Christian?
Paul – A Compassionate Radical Christian
Paul was an enthusiastic, compassionate, radical – I think. He received his calling directly from Jesus Himself. Jesus brought Paul into Christianity and instantly transformed his heart into a radical Christian. A zealous, loving, evangelist for Christ. (Acts Chapter 9)
Saul, as he was known before his conversion, was a devout Jew but was also a Roman citizen by birth. He was also well educated and grew up with a certain amount of privilege. His Jewish heritage centered his faith in God.
Saul became a relentless fighter for traditional Jewish doctrine. He was able to obtain letters from the Pharisees and Rabbis, giving him permission to pursue and persecute followers of a new religious sect called “The Way,” later known as Christianity.
The True Work of God
Saul treated these people quite harshly as he saw them as a threat to the very existence of his Jewish culture. Saul thought he was doing the work of God. Arresting, jailing, and in some cases executing these rebels and social deviants who dare to believe Jesus was the Son of the very high God. These radicals must be neutralized.
Jesus is the Son of God; Jesus is God. He knew of the actions Saul was taking against His followers. God’s omniscience knew in advance the effect Saul would have on Christianity if Saul would turn his anger into a love for Christ. Since Saul loved God or the traditional Jewish version of God, Jesus knew what He had to do to have the best possible impact on Sauls life. To put it bluntly, knock him off his high horse and blind him for three days. Then Saul had to rely on Ananias, a follower of Jesus, to restore His sight.
Opened Eyes – Opened Heart
This event opened Saul’s eyes. Jesus was the Son of God. Sauls’s pride in what he was doing was turned on its head. How many people had Saul harmed or imprisoned? I do not know, but this event not only opened Sauls’s heart, but Jesus changed his soul spiritually as well as physically.
Reading the Bible, one gets a sense of how humble Paul became toward all people Jew and Gentile. When before Saul persecuted all Christians and he only associated with fellow Jews.
… including Rome
Immediately following his encounter and conversion by Jesus on the Damascus road, Saul became Paul and started his ministry. He met with the other apostles and, with encouragement, started on his journey to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul spoke with great enthusiasm. He spoke with the wisdom of Jesus. Not only did Paul encounter Jesus, but the love of Jesus also transformed his heart, and the knowledge of God flowed through Paul to most of the known world, including Rome.
Spiritual Service
Romans chapter 12 goes into detail of how Christians should treat each other and how we should approach our ministry to Jesus.
(v.1) “Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (v.2) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
As Christians who profess our love to Jesus, We need to give ourselves to Him every day. I am a strong proponent of daily reading and prayer. Ask our Lord and Savior to protect and guide us every day. Give ourselves to God every day for His will as the body of Christ.
Equal to One Another
(v.3) “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. (v.4) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, (v.5) so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.”
We are the body of Christ. We are equal in importance to one another. We all have different gifts designed to benefit the rest of the body; in other words, we serve one another, as equals. The pastor is just as crucial as the janitor. The usher is just as important as the Sunday school teacher. I don’t think a person would remove the lowly foot just because the eye doesn’t like the way it looks, without the foot, the eye can’t get around the corner to the next room.
In my 56 years, I have attended a few churches where this lesson is taught but seldom put into practice. A person’s sensitivities are sometimes, well, self-important. We must be cautious not to fall into the sin of pride within our churches. Encourage and nurture all members of your church, especially the congregation members, that introduce new ideas. Pray about their suggestions and let God lead your decision. Please be gracious for their input. It’s the individual’s way of showing they care.
Growth of a Child of God
(v.6) “We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; (v.7) if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; (v.8) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
God gives each one of us gifts designed to serve God. Please be patient with new members. I know of an instance where a new member who was not confident in his faith or his abilities for God. This man, conscripted into a task where he didn’t feel comfortable, stepped away from his service to Christ. He was capable but not ready for the responsibility. He felt pressured in church when all he wanted at that time was to hear the word of God. His faith needed growth first. Without a firm foundation, the house will fall. Unfortunately, he left. I hope he found his faith in God.
Every day, offer your service or your talent to God. I wake up in the morning, make a cup of coffee, and read my Bible. Then I pray about what I’ve read and also on issues that are on my heart. I take them to God. He made me, I am His servant, and I try very hard to follow His word.
A Radical Influence
Saul, in his mind, was a servant of God. Jesus saw this. Jesus transformed his heart and opened his eyes to his true Godly purpose. Our God made Paul for His glory, His will. Paul became a compassionate radical influence, for love, for service, teaching, and education, for Jesus.
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, gave himself every day to God, to Jesus. Every day, Jesus gives you the offer of redemption, love, and grace. I ask you, please ask Jesus to open your eyes, ask Him to enter your heart, and like Paul, become a radical Christian. Transform your heart into the likeness of Christ. God made you. God loves you. God is asking for you.