Blasphemous buzz

around town,
burning bushes
preaching
words
of
wisdom,
death
and
destruction,
heartache
and
woe,
judgments
to come…

What We Forget About Paul

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul says something we shouldn’t disregard lightly:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV)

Paul calls himself “the worst” of sinners, and to a degree, he’s talking about a mindset we should have regarding our relationship with sin and Jesus’ redeeming sacrifice. In this mindset, there aren’t “degrees” of sin—as if any one person is a “worse” sinner than another. Instead, we must all recognize that Jesus died for us all; we must also recognize that even the “least” of our sins is worthy of separation from God.

Once we’ve understood this premise, we shouldn’t overlook the reality of Paul’s statement or why he might have called himself the “worst of sinners.” Paul probably said it because he was a murderer who persecuted the Church.

What Job Didn’t Know

If I were to give Job Chapter 17 a title, it would be “If Job Only Knew.” The chapter begins with Job claiming his days “are cut short.”

My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me.

Job 17:1 (NIV)

Later he asserts:

Did Paul Compromise in Acts 21?

In Acts 21, Paul returns to Jerusalem with good news:

The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

Acts 21:18-19 (NIV)

After praising God, James and the others reveal that Paul’s preaching hasn’t gone unnoticed:

You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs.

Acts 21:20-21 (NIV)

They present Paul with a solution:

Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.

Acts 21:24 (NIV)

Was this the right choice? Weren’t they giving in to the Jews instead of sticking to the truth?