“And He said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
- Acts 22:21
If you have been following along the last few weeks, we have gotten to see Paul be adamant about returning to Jerusalem. Then at numerous points, Paul being warned about returning to Jerusalem yet then going anyway. Upon his arrival, he met with the leaders of the church in Jerusalem, and out of protection for him, they advised him to go through a purifying ceremony. The hope was the target would get off his back a bit. However, groups of Jews from Asia recognized Paul and thought he was taking Gentiles into the Temple, where they would have been forbidden to be. They managed to take Paul out of there and have him arrested.
Upon his arrest, he was able to persuade the Tribune that he should be able to make a defense before the people, that he did no wrong. Paul began sharing his testimony. How before he turned his life to Christ, he was a Jew raised in one of the strictest orders, even naming his teacher who was well known in Jerusalem. He shared how he witnessed the martyr of Stephen and that made him zealous to bring in and arrest all the followers of Jesus. But then, on the road to Damascus, he was encountered by Christ. He was blinded and yet at that moment saw truth clearer than every day before!
So far, his testimony and faith in Jesus do not anger the crowd or send them into an outroar. Yet, it is our above verse that sends them into a tizzy. Jesus charges Paul to go far off into other lands and share the Gospel with the Gentiles. Being sent to the Gentiles… That is what sets off the crowd to where they cry out against Paul wanting him dead. The Tribune, not understanding what is happening necessarily brings Paul in and questions him, about to have him flogged until Paul reveals his Roman citizenship.
Sent for Christ:
This is a beautiful chapter of Paul revealing what he dedicated his life to do. For most of his life, he dedicated his life to the study and obedience of the Law. Raised in the strictest order, and yet a sinner just as much as someone who doesn’t even know the Law. Then Christ came to him personally and powerfully and Paul saw a changed heart and dedication. Now his life was to be for Christ.
This flip of the spiritual switch, and elevating the Lord in his heart over everything else enabled him to be an impactful missionary for Christ. Paul’s life became about reaching the Gentiles. He entered town after town first going to the Jews to perhaps change their hearts and build a local church and then when that could go no longer, he would turn to Gentiles and explain the Gospel. Church after the church was planted because Paul lived his life for Christ and nothing else.
“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”
- Philippians 1:21
Live for Christ:
Paul experienced a radical change in his life when he came to Christ. Now, I’m not going to say we will all become globe trotters to share the Gospel when we come to Christ. Nor that the life we once were around will become our enemies and shout for our deaths. Paul’s life is Paul’s, and our stories will reflect our faithfulness to Christ differently. But at the core, Paul’s life, as should ours, should be for Christ.
Now there are some commonalities all who come to Christ should share, but there are some things that will always be different and that is for the benefit of the church and mission.
Commonalities of living for Christ:
I like to call these the top 3 priorities for Christ disciples:
1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
2. Love your neighbor (and your enemy) as yourself.
3. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
You most likely recognize these three, but often we don’t talk about them all together at once. Now the first two are the Greatest Commandments to live by and one can argue that if you live these two out in every situation, you are living perfect and sinless. For Jesus says that all the Law and the Prophets (basically all the Old Testament) are completed in these two commandments. I add in enemy because Jesus teaches that as well and yet we often overlook our enemy as also being our neighbor!
I also throw in the third point, because it's not often Jesus makes it clear what our priorities should be. Seek first, above everything else, let the Kingdom of God spiral in your mind all day every day. These are what we all should be sharing in our life in Christ!
Unique Callings:
I also believe we all have personal and different settings and styles to live out those commonalities. These are callings to particular jobs, things to do with the family, or more. Paul’s more unique calling was to the Gentiles, which created enemies in Jerusalem because of his faithfulness to God.
Similarly to Paul, we must be willing to lay aside how others few of us. Now, if they view us as hypocrites, then we should be concerned with that, but if they simply dislike how we live for Christ, then we must not worry about the consequences, because we are living faithfully to Christ who has called us.
Final Blessing:
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breathe, and every heartbeat of your journey!
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