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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 21 Paul is almost mugged by a religious gang. Roman soldiers rescue him for his own safety, because God still has vital work for him to do. But Paul's desire and longing is to speak to these people and when given permission he addresses them and shares his very real testimony. He says to these religious bigots, "I too am a Jew. I am one of you. I had the finest theological training available, at that time, sitting in the class of Professor Gamaliel. I am as zealous as you are. I was as dedicated to God as you are."
You can be religious and dedicated to something - and NOT know Jesus Christ.
You can be religious and committed to something - in which Jesus Christ is NOT interested - and which Jesus is NOT going to bless - and that is always tragic, sad and such a waste of time.
Paul speaks about what he was like - what he has been like - and how he met Jesus. He describes how he met the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ outside the city of Damascus, and how he was transformed by meeting Jesus - totally changed - inside and outside - his thoughts and deeds - everything, and in every way.
He explains how he wanted to keep Judaism pure and how he had been committed to destroying every disciple of Jesus Christ. Remember that this man had been so determined to annihilate and wipe out every person who believed in Jesus - this preacher, teacher, apostle or missionary.
"When I heard of disciples of Jesus, I even went further than you. I sought to destroy them all. I persecuted them. I did to them what you are trying to do to me." These Jews wanted their religion kept pure - nothing new - no changes - no outsiders - everything as it had always been.
Then Paul speaks of that day when he met Jesus. I was going to Damascus to arrest all of His disciples - imprison them - and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished - and Jesus Christ arrested and apprehended me. It was around noon. There was a great light. I fell to the ground and my pride fell with me, and as I lay on the ground I heard a voice. Such detail in verse 7.
Paul thought he had only been having a go at men and women. No! When you touch disciples of Jesus Christ, you touch Jesus. Criticise Christians and you criticise Christ. Laugh at Christians and you laugh at Jesus. Ridicule - mock - persecute - and you are persecuting the Son of God. Many don't realise what they are doing when they touch the Lord's anointed servants.
Let these revealing truths encourage you this coming week.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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