Amazing Grace

Acts 7:57-58 (NIV) At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,  dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 

I remember stories my Religion teachers at Catholic grade school told about the persecution of the early Christians. These tales made me grip the edge of my seat when they would describe the living conditions underground in the catacombs of Rome.  I was mesmerized and also afraid I would never live up to such oppression.  The child in me was fearful I would be hurt or hungry; I never considered the cause for which they were suffering.

I still wonder if I would be up for the challenge and muster the courage of my convictions to withstand torture.  I think not.  I am a wimp, so weak in the flesh.  I run from danger; in other words I am a coward. How I would love to think I could be a beacon for others.  The truth is, I cannot do it, but God can.  God can take my weaknesses and use them to point to Him.

Can you imagine Saul’s feelings once he came to know Jesus?  The man with the new name, Paul, must have looked back at his past and cringed. What a great example for God to use to help you and I understand that if God changed Paul and can also change us.  

He can take our fear and turn it into trust.  He changed Paul into a man many listened to and heard. Paul was able to give testimony to the unconditional love of Jesus. Even though he helped put Saint Stephen to death because of his relationship with Jesus, God used Paul to build up the Church.  Paul proclaimed Jesus Christ until his death.  May I be equipped to do likewise. 

Acts 6:7-12, 7:54-60

John 16:1-15

I grew up Catholic, attended parochial school, and received religious instruction from the Pastors.  I loved to hear stories of the early Christians; the exciting times they had in the lions' den and hiding under ground in the catacombs.  I glamorized what life would be like as a martyr who was willing to die for Jesus.

Those stories were appealing, and as a child I believed I wanted to live life as they did.  Once I became older and wiser I began to doubt I could be strong and courageous.  I worried I would not be able to withstand torture.  I feared that I would be like Peter and deny my relationship with Jesus.

While Jesus was alive, His Disciples were safe from the hatred of the Pharisees.  After all, it was Jesus they despised and feared and it was He the Pharisees were out to destroy.  But, once Jesus was gone, the Disciples were carrying on His work by spreading the Good News.  They soon became the targets and were no longer safe.
 
"They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them." (John 16:2-4)

Jesus warned his followers this would happen.  He tried to prepare them, but He also sent the Holy Spirit to these believers.  The Holy Spirit is teacher and counselor.  He guides and protects and instructs.  All we need to do is call upon His wisdom.

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