Post by John on Oct 31, 2019 10:16:51 GMT -5
AND Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:1,2
Of course, this man that was "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," was the Apostle Paul before his conversion, known as Saul at the time. He was a very dedicated man, even as an unbeliever in the Christian faith. He believed in following the law of Moses as he understood it, and was so dedicated to the cause of coming against those he saw as doing harm to the God he believed he was serving, he sought letters giving him authority to bring any Christians he found to Jerusalem as prisoners.
While any adversary is potentially a threat, the ones you need to be most concerned about are true believers. When it comes to servants of Muhammad, the rank and file believers are not the ones that pose the biggest threat, but the ones dying for their false god are those who are the most dangerous. They are so convinced that Allah is god, and that he will reward them for attacking "infidels," they will die for their cause, believing they will go to paradise.
The same thing applies within religious circles. There are what we sometimes call "people of faith," who believe in the existence of God, but don't give themselves to his service, and there are others who dedicate their all to doing whatever they believe he desires they should do. This kind of person makes the best true Christian, but it also makes the most dangerous type of heretic, as they will do whatever they feel is necessary to stand for the truth and defeat those they think are a threat. When it comes to dedication, Paul was every bit as dedicated as Saul ever was, but he had changed sides when he realized he had been deceived.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Acts 9:3-6
I have always believed that one of the reasons why God chose to save Saul the way he did was that God knew that in his heart, he was trying to serve him. He was genuinely deceived. Of course, we know what a great man of God the Apostle Paul was, and how he served him faithfully from the day of his conversion till he was called home to heaven. God used this one time enemy of the church to write the majority of the New Testament.
As we continue our pilgrimage for Christ, be thankful for every really dedicated saint of God that is on our team, and don't underestimate the dangers we face from those who are dedicated to the task of destroying us. I believe we have some from both camps in our midst. Some that we think are fellow laborers for the truth are actually standing in opposition to the truth, much like Saul was. They may be sincere, but they are wrong. When we face such an enemy, be careful, but recognize that they might be a great man or woman of faith, much like Paul was if they can be converted. Pray for them. Be longsuffering, but also be wise as serpents.
Acts 9:1,2
Of course, this man that was "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," was the Apostle Paul before his conversion, known as Saul at the time. He was a very dedicated man, even as an unbeliever in the Christian faith. He believed in following the law of Moses as he understood it, and was so dedicated to the cause of coming against those he saw as doing harm to the God he believed he was serving, he sought letters giving him authority to bring any Christians he found to Jerusalem as prisoners.
While any adversary is potentially a threat, the ones you need to be most concerned about are true believers. When it comes to servants of Muhammad, the rank and file believers are not the ones that pose the biggest threat, but the ones dying for their false god are those who are the most dangerous. They are so convinced that Allah is god, and that he will reward them for attacking "infidels," they will die for their cause, believing they will go to paradise.
The same thing applies within religious circles. There are what we sometimes call "people of faith," who believe in the existence of God, but don't give themselves to his service, and there are others who dedicate their all to doing whatever they believe he desires they should do. This kind of person makes the best true Christian, but it also makes the most dangerous type of heretic, as they will do whatever they feel is necessary to stand for the truth and defeat those they think are a threat. When it comes to dedication, Paul was every bit as dedicated as Saul ever was, but he had changed sides when he realized he had been deceived.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Acts 9:3-6
I have always believed that one of the reasons why God chose to save Saul the way he did was that God knew that in his heart, he was trying to serve him. He was genuinely deceived. Of course, we know what a great man of God the Apostle Paul was, and how he served him faithfully from the day of his conversion till he was called home to heaven. God used this one time enemy of the church to write the majority of the New Testament.
As we continue our pilgrimage for Christ, be thankful for every really dedicated saint of God that is on our team, and don't underestimate the dangers we face from those who are dedicated to the task of destroying us. I believe we have some from both camps in our midst. Some that we think are fellow laborers for the truth are actually standing in opposition to the truth, much like Saul was. They may be sincere, but they are wrong. When we face such an enemy, be careful, but recognize that they might be a great man or woman of faith, much like Paul was if they can be converted. Pray for them. Be longsuffering, but also be wise as serpents.