Thoughtful sharing…

So (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. (Acts 17:17–25)

This week, God used this and other NT examples to help me use the way my listeners talk and think to present further truth about His will and His ways. In this narrative, the people were open to hear new ideas and open to discuss matters of worship. Paul went from there to explain more, and eventually told them about Jesus: 

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. (Acts 17:30–31)

This moved the philosophers from their idle chatter to realize Paul was talking about far more than they usually talked about. Their idle conversation still happens these days and sharing how Paul did is not difficult. Could it be that talking as he did would get the same reaction from contemporary groups of idle conversationalists?

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” So Paul went out from their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. (Acts 17:32–34)

I note two things. First, he started with where they were, showing he understood something about their ideas. Had he jumped in without doing that, they may have responded by defending their belief system as if any form of worship was mere philosophy. One time I jumped in too quick about what I believe, and the listener responded with her beliefs, as if whatever anyone thinks is okay for them, rather than considering if it is true.

The second thing is that Paul didn’t push it or argue with the mockers. He pointed to the resurrection and let that sit in their heads. He knew that God works with ideas like seeds, which need time and the right conditions to grow. This process cannot be forced.

Yesterday I shared with someone about an incident of answered prayer. She said she had been told not to bother God with small issues, but she did pray to a ‘saint’ when she lost something. I remarked that God knows the hairs on our heads, so isn’t bothered by trivial requests. I wanted to say more, but the Spirit told me to let the truth about God sit. It is enough for her to think about, a seed for Him to water and make grow.

Jesus, don’t let my impatience mess with Your plans. People who quilt often say, “Finished is better than perfect” but when it comes to telling others about You, I could turn them off if I pushed for getting a positive response far sooner than they were ready for it. I need to trust You with the time needed, and never be pushy or insisting on a “finish” that could result in mockery or argument rather than, “I want to hear more.”

 

Winning by not retaliating

 

Before I became a Christian, about two or three times a week a person close to me did the same annoying thing and I was angry each time. My response was retaliation but it didn’t change a thing. Then one day I heard on a radio program to respond to someone’s annoying habits as if they never happened. The voice said, “Carry on and be nice to them.” So I tried it and it must have had some shock value for that person never did it again.

Today’s devotional affirms that non-retaliation is an expression of love. I didn’t know it then, but know it now . . .  “Love is patient” (1 Corinthians 13:4).

MacArthur writes that we usually think of patience as the ability to wait or endure without complaint — either regarding people or circumstances. However, this word translated “patience” refers specifically to patience with people. It means “to be long-tempered.” That is, patience is about choosing not to retaliate when wronged. It is a response like God’s response when I sin against Him. It is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22) and not possible apart from His enabling. That God enabled me to say no to retaliation before I said yes to Christ says something else about the grace of God! He was teaching me about Himself before I knew Him, and about the way of life that He would give me.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:1–2)

The Lord is always the example to follow. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) To resist that patience and insist on retaliation is not wise for it is presuming “on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead me to repentance” (Romans 2:4)

In NT times, retaliation was considered heroic. It is even true today. Consider advice such as, “Stand up for yourself” and “Don’t take that treatment; get even.” But Jesus said of those who crucified Him, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

The other thing about retaliation is that it can be subtle and even passive, like withdrawing or ignoring those who hurt me, or talking mean about them behind their back. Godly love does not do that. It is always kind and motivated by humility, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice my so-called rights rather than hurting someone else, no matter what they did to me.

PRAY: Lord, this is not easy. The closer the relationship, the deeper the wounds and the stronger the temptation to get even, to hurt back. Humility reminds me that I’ve hurt others too, and would I want them retaliating and being impatient toward me? Not at all. Help me remember Your patience with me and submit to the Holy Spirit’s patience rather than be resentful or fight back. Also enable me to trust You with taking care of any wrong-doing that others do. Dealing with sin mostly means my own sin, rather than trying to ‘fix’ the sin that others do.

PONDER: Genesis 50:15–21 tells how Joseph’s brothers feared retaliation without realizing the amazing patience and long-suffering He developed in Joseph. Think of ways God can use the sins of others to accomplish His purposes rather than letting those sins be a reason for me to take matters into my own hands.

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17–21)