What If We…?
After some eye-closing and opening experiences, Paul (Pharisee Saul) was a faithful believer on a mission. There was a custom Paul and Silas had… It was a really 'bad' habit of going to the synagogues on the Sabbath. Say it isn't so.
I know this may rub some of your hair forwards and backwards, but what would happen to our personal maturation, family strength and the places we call “houses of GOD” if we put this same intentionality in play? We would grow up and be of some use for the Kingdom's purpose. Loving the people to Jesus, and obeying His Father are what everything hangs, hinges and depends on, correct?
In Acts 17, Paul and Silas were on one of their many "road trips", spreading what was to many of the Torah leaders, blasphemous and heretical (worthy of death) sayings. To most of the Gentiles (goyim) an unexpected jolt of life! Hope!
Expectation that there would be something for them too, instead of always for the weird people living in Canaan. A hope that reached far past the intellectual brain power, and grabbing the very deepest part of their being. They were hearing about some wonderful, wise and unbelievable man named Yeshua, but it had to be a trick. He was said to be from Nazareth.
"Hey! Isn’t that the dude that was killed not long ago, and rumor has it that He is alive -- AGAIN?" Really?! "Tell me MORE."
Can you hear them asking these questions, and the Judean leaders and others sticking their fingers in their ears?
Paul and Silas had just left the town of Thyatira, where they were beaten because they were sharing the Good News (Besorah) in the synagogues. Say it isn't so! They ended up in prison after the beating, and STILL, they praised GOD. After being freed on the basis of Paul’s “citizenship”, they went on to the next town, Thessalonica, where they "upset the religious apple carts" -- AGAIN, by telling them about the Messiah King, Yeshua.
Imagine what could, or dare I say, would happen if/when we decided to tell it like it is and not be concerned about getting hit with verbal switches and belts, or even rods and boards?
Where would we be if the work we are trying to do was really the Misson (not our silly visions) about the One Who calls and, likewise, sends us?
When pastors, priests, sisters and brothers, elders and ‘theologians’ stop wrangling and debating one another, and all choose to be obedient to the Scriptures, more lives would be impacted for the positive.
Rather than preaching the indoctrination of their denomination’s doctrine, the people decide to speak Jesus, more lives would be changed.
Instead of truth and accuracy, we preach and spread our own beliefs and these days, share elaborate stories and say heretical things, that are meant to fill the seats and the offering plates.
If we were real, shared from the correctness of Scripture and are humble, some of the people would sit up and listen. Others will accept Jesus as He is and become free.
You know what? There will always be those who want to beat you and throw you in jail for speaking the Truth of Christ. Choose the Truth!
It is best to be FREE in jail with Yeshua next to you, than in spiritual PRISON walking around with the selfish pride of man.
Pick a side!