Passion Personified

 

Readings:  Acts 9:14-15

      Acts 7: 54-8:1

 

“He always goes for the gusto.”  “She’s just like the energizer bunny.”  Have you referred to friends or colleagues in this manner? I know several people whom I would refer to as “passionate” or “zealous.”  They seem to have unending energy as they pursue a cause or objective.

 

In the book of Acts and in many of the New Testament letters written by Paul, we can’t miss the fact that Saul [later called Paul after his conversion to Christ] was the epitome of zeal.  I picture it as a sphere around which many arrows are pointing outward, showing energy going out from the center of the sphere. This was Saul, while he stood watch over the clothes of the men who stoned the disciple Stephen, and “in full agreement with killing him (Acts 7:58; 8:1).” This was Saul as he was “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples (Acts 9:1).”  And this was Saul when he went from town-to-town with “authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on [Jesus’] name (Acts 9:14).” 

 

Wow, I think I might go so far as to say he was obsessed with his objective to wipe out all Jesus-followers! So how could a man considered the “arch-persecutor” of the followers of Jesus turn 180 degrees from his pursuit and actually becoming the pursued?  And why would he do it?  Simply put, he had an encounter with the Son of the Living God! (read about it in Acts 9: 1-9)

 

He was the Lord’s “chosen instrument to carry [His] name before” all people – Jews, Gentiles, kings (Acts 9:15).  God channeled Paul’s fervor to grow His church. Paul’s obsession now became one of reaching the known world for Christ.  He was intent on preserving the truth of the Gospel – devoted to keeping fellow believers zealous in their faith. He told them, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord (Rom 12:11).”

 

How grateful I am that God transformed Paul’s zeal for a good, holy purpose. You and I are the beneficiaries of his passion to communicate the Gospel.

 

Lord, give me such zeal for you and your Word that those around me may be beneficiaries of your grace and mercy.  “One holy passion filling all my frame…, my heart an altar, and your love the flame.”