When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “”Go to this people, and say, You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.” Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:23-31 ESV)
What does it mean to be bold? What is boldness?
For Paul it is standing up for what he understood to be the calling from God and what God’s word said, which was in direct conflict with the religious authority of the day.
Today we have congregations and denominations moving towards the full inclusion of a group thought to be outside of the grace of God. “Sinful homosexuals”* are being allowed into leadership in some congregations and denominations. This is a move that the religious authorities of our day do not like. These authorities could be denominational authorities or congregational authorities, or the leadership group that is not actually in leadership, but controls things from behind the scenes.
“It was good enough for 2000 years so why does it have to change?” I believe this is a question Paul heard. Why do things have to change because we have always done it this way and understood God’s word this way so we have to be right and why would it change now. Well maybe we have had it wrong all this time and just now we are seeing what it really means. And to admit this, means we have to admit we were wrong and how many of us are willing to do that?
You see Paul knew, as the man in front of the tanks knew, that something was foul in the air and that things were not quite right. So we have to boldly confess our faith and our understanding. Knowing that we might have to admit that we were wrong, but God was always right and we just did not see it.
So be bold and be strong and know that the Lord thy God is always with you.
*I put “sinful homosexuals” in quotes because I do not believe that homosexuality is a sin. We are all called and created by God and He loves us just as we are. We do not have to be perfect to come to Him, if we did none of us would make it.
aSacredRebel 