But the story is not all excitement and smooth sailing. From the birth of the Church, the early leaders faced opposition on many sides. The Jewish leadership hated what the Jesus movement was teaching the Hebrew people. The Romans really didn't like all of the unrest that the early followers were causing among those living in Jerusalem. But despite all of the opposition, the men and women of faith continued to preach, teach, and proclaim the risen savior for the benefit of the world.
One of the most amazing transformations comes in the epiphany of the Lord to Saul. His story of conversion is incredible. Many times we criticize Saul for his role in Stephen's stoning and yet he was sincere in his devotion to his teachings. He must have genuinely thought he was serving his God by protecting his understanding of who God is from heresy. However, his encounter with Jesus Christ changed that. Through his physical blindness, his spiritual eyes were opened and he truly was able to see who God is for the first time. I'm sure he struggled with his role in the persecution of the early church for the rest of his life. But I'm just as sure that he was a true Christian after his encounter on the Damascus Road.
| Paul preaching in Athens - Painting by RAFFAELLO - 1515 |
Because of his own ignorance and awakening of who God is, he was able to become the great Apostle to the Gentiles. In chapter 17, we are told of Paul's preaching to the Athenians in front of the Areopagus. What I love about this story is that Paul meets the people of Athens where they are. He acknowledges their devotion and uses that as a foundation on which to build his message about the gospel. He used what they knew to teach them about the truth of God. After he finished his sermon, the writer of Acts tells us, "When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed; but others said, 'We will hear you again about this.' At that point Paul left them. But some of them joined him and became believers, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and others with them." (17:32-34).
One of the hymns of the church is "Just as I Am, Without One Plea." Don't get me wrong; I believe this song has its place within the hymnal. However, I'm afraid that we American Christians have taken this song too far in our belief system. We think that God has taken us where we are and things are hunky dory. But that is diluting the blood of Jesus Christ. He died for more than that. He died to bring us back to the fullness of what it means to be made in the image of God. He died so that we might live life now. He died and was raised so that we too might have a new life here and now. God is in the business of transforming us from Saul to Paul. He is in the business of moving us from a limited understanding like the Athenians to a deeper understanding like Dionysius and Damaris.
A follow up song to "Just as I Am" is "Change My Heart Oh God." Once we are restored to our relationship with God, then our faith journey continues. We should expect to grow in grace, mercy, justice, and righteousness. We should be willing to work out our salvation and give the Holy Spirit something to work with in our lives. We should pursue God as he continues to pursue us. We cannot change ourselves, but we must be willing to submit to our own change. We must continue to meet God and let God have his Holy way with us. May each one of us continue to grow in God's grace and be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Until next time...
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