“The basic premise of religion– that if you live a good life, things will go well for you– is wrong. Jesus was the most morally upright person who ever lived, yet He had a life filled with the experience of poverty, rejection, injustice, and even torture.” ― Timothy Keller
PSALM 31-33
Paul is seized...
30The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.33The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. 35When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”
JOURNAL
I am overcome with emotion. Here it is...Paul seized beaten and fellow Jews screaming to "Get rid of him!" In one way or another I think I have avoided really grappling with this. I wish to find a way to honor God and still get my way. Yet what I find is that you can't do that. That's not the Gospel.
God asks for everything. It really is all or none. For me...I fear the implications. I think it is a fear of losing all that is important to me. I read about Paul and the disciples and I fear the same will be required of me. I made that choice but as time has gone on, kids, family, community...all good things weigh on my heart and mind. Would I be willing to give them up? It's such a twisted thought...but it is the same that was asked of Abraham. Is my life too precious? Are my blessings and gifts becoming idols?
I think this the true final step in faith...it has to be full surrender or it is just lukewarm lip service. This is agonizing to contemplate but it is the core and crux of the faith. Jesus promises that no matter the darkness; he will be there through it all and that it will be worth it...he bet his life on it.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.
God asks for everything. It really is all or none. For me...I fear the implications. I think it is a fear of losing all that is important to me. I read about Paul and the disciples and I fear the same will be required of me. I made that choice but as time has gone on, kids, family, community...all good things weigh on my heart and mind. Would I be willing to give them up? It's such a twisted thought...but it is the same that was asked of Abraham. Is my life too precious? Are my blessings and gifts becoming idols?
I think this the true final step in faith...it has to be full surrender or it is just lukewarm lip service. This is agonizing to contemplate but it is the core and crux of the faith. Jesus promises that no matter the darkness; he will be there through it all and that it will be worth it...he bet his life on it.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.
~ 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-7
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