“So, King Agrippa, I wasn’t disobedient to that heavenly vision. Instead, I proclaimed first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to the whole region of Judea and to the Gentiles. My message was that they should change their hearts and lives and turn to God, and that they should demonstrate this change in their behavior. Because of this, some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to murder me. God has helped me up to this very day. Therefore, I stand here and bear witness to the lowly and the great. I’m saying nothing more than what the Prophets and Moses declared would happen: that the Christ would suffer and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to my people and to the Gentiles.” At this point in Paul’s defense, Festus declared with a loud voice, “You’ve lost your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you mad!” But Paul replied, “I’m not mad, most honorable Festus! I’m speaking what is sound and true. King Agrippa knows about these things, and I have been speaking openly to him. I’m certain that none of these things have escaped his attention. This didn’t happen secretly or in some out-of-the-way place. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you trying to convince me that, in such a short time, you’ve made me a Christian?” Paul responded, “Whether it is a short or a long time, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today will become like me, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:19-29, CEB)
Paul said, “I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today will become like me.”
Everyone should be like Paul. Able to hear something different from what we were taught and grew up with, and able to change our ways and understanding, and move forward to help everyone see this new thing.
Learning something new does not mean you were wrong before; it means you made decisions based on the knowledge you had. It is not wrong to change your understanding, it is wrong to not hear new viable information and simply reject it because it goes against what you had known.
Be like Paul. Open to learning and changing for the betterment of love.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 