Few cheer about godliness . . .

 

READ Acts 21-24

This day has me filled with mixed emotions. These chapters tell how Paul was determined to do the will of God despite the danger to himself. He was arrested and nearly killed, yet each encounter gave him opportunity to share how Jesus had encountered him and changed his life’s direction. He no longer wanted to destroy the people that he had been trying to destroy for he became one of them.

This morning’s newspaper headlines the visit to our city of the head of a major church denomination. He is here to apologize to our nation’s aboriginal people for the part his denomination played in the treatment of children in residential schools organized by their denomination, schools long ago closed but now have a reputation of abuse and mistreatment. Even though some say their lives were changed for the good in those schools, unmarked graves supposedly give evidence otherwise.

I’ve no way to evaluate that past behavior. However I am bothered by thousands of people bowing to worship a church leader as if this man were God himself. The apology he gives may be helpful and may be necessary, but in Scripture, no man of faith allowed himself to be given such treatment. In chapter 14, Paul and Barnabas were called “gods who came down in the likeness of men” and they were horrified.

When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.”(Acts 14:14–15)

Later, in the book of Revelation an angel spoke to the apostle John and John bowed to the angel only to hear: “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” (Revelation 22:9) Jesus also said, “Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9)

The Word of God forbids the worship of humans and angels. This breaks the first of the OT’s Ten Commandments. Honoring people is one thing, but adoration of anyone in place of the Lord is risky. As has been said, “Break that commandment and you will not keep the rest of them.”

I’m trying to see the positive side of this weeks events but when comparing them with Paul’s obedience and the results of that obedience, I don’t know what to do with my emotions. Paul did what God said even though he was told he would be arrested. He was, and not only that, his opposition planned to kill him. God arranged him to survive their plot. He defended himself and the crowds listened for a short time, then were in an uproar when he told them salvation was for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. He preached to political leaders, and the last line of chapter 24 says: “When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.” (Acts 24:27)

Paul was God’s man for his day. He did what God told him to do in a hostile and unbelieving culture and was persecuted and put in jail. No one bowed before him, and he would not have accepted that anyway. His focus was on Jesus Christ, His death for the sin of the world, His resurrection, and His offer of eternal life to all who would believe.

I wonder what would happen if this man who is visiting our city would give that same message? Would hearts be convicted? Not just the hearts of those who had any part in the school issues (they are dead now anyway?) but the hearts of all who heard him, politicians, aboriginals, those who are anti-aboriginal, everyone? Would they hail him as the bringer of good news — or toss him in jail like they did with Paul?

The good news of Scripture is that Jesus died for sin and offers forgiveness to sinners. The ‘good’ news in the morning paper is that a man is asking part of our society to forgive another part of our society. When Jesus died, He said, “It is finished” but when today’s microphones are turned off, a great many people are saying this animosity and division will never be finished because this apology is not enough. Some even mention that money might help. Really?!

I’m sad. Human efforts, religious ceremonies, sincere apologies are commendable, but only the Son of God can bring unity and peace to this and any situation and to sad and broken people trying to cope in a very angry world. Our Father in heaven asks us to humbly bow before His Son and give our total devotion Him and Him alone.