Daily Lesson for July 8, 2019

Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Acts chapter 9 verses 26 through 30:

26 When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. 30When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

People can change. The gospel can change them. Christ can change them. 

This may well be one of the most important points to keep in mind in this present age. We live in an age of such polarization and demonization and everybody seems to want to get the goods on their political or religious opponent. It has become a winner takes all world; and the saddest thing is that a whole mass of Christianity on both left and right has joined in a thirst for vanquish and retribution. 

But the Gospel is not about vengeance. It’s not about retribution. It is about accountability.  It’s about truth. But truth and accountability are never supposed to be separate from grace and the invitation to change.

A question: have you prayed for your enemies in a while?  Have you prayed for the politicians whose policies you can’t stand?  An even harder question: have you prayed for those who have done harm to your community?

Saul persecuted the church vehemently. He was even complicit in the stoning of the early followers. But Saul was changed. By the mystery of God’s grace he was changed. And the early church had also to change its opinion of him. I’m sure that was a very hard thing to do. 

“Vengeance is mine,” says the LORD. And,

“it is not the will that any should perish.”  God’s hope for this world is redemption. May God keep working on us until that’s our hope also.