A MOST UNCOMFORTABLE MEETING

     There is a lot of noise filling our airwaves and public places.  That noise stems from the multiple viewpoints being espoused by people from all walks of life.  This noise centers around political speeches, religious thought and beliefs, and social issues.  This noise will grow louder and will not go away.  So we have been placed in a position of deciding how we will deal with it.
     In the days of the early church, there was a lot of noise as well.  This noise was being advanced by a zealot known as Saul who was out to destroy the Lord's church.  This led Saul to a most uncomfortable meeting.  While traveling to Damascus shortly after the stoning of Stephen, Saul was introduced to someone he didn't want to meet.  It was Jesus Himself.  It became pretty obvious to Saul Jesus really had been raised from the dead, and now there was this accountability issue to deal with.
     Interestingly, Jesus did not have Saul cast into prison for the murder of Stephen, but there was something else to be done.  As Jesus instructed Saul what to do, we read of the conversion of one who truly hated the church and all it stood for, only to become a leading voice of God's grace and salvation.
     Many today are heading for this most uncomfortable meeting with Jesus in a much different way.  We can read words of Scripture such as Luke quoting the words of Peter, "we ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).  We can also read where Luke quotes Paul (formerly Saul) on Mars Hill, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).
     These words cannot be allowed to be weakened.  Either they mean something or they don't.  Either we believe them or we don't. The noise I made reference to at the beginning of this article is largely looking to silence the voice of God by silencing those who claim to follow Him.  There are those who have joined the forces of Satan by advocating this God of love will not punish evil doers who practice things contrary to His word, regardless of what those things are. 
     The good news is this.  The power of God's word cannot be weakened.  Another baptism is in the process of taking place in our jail ministry.  God's word will not return to us void if we stand for what is right. Those who think God's word will not be upheld, either in the church or out, are heading for a time when they must stand before the Lord and give an account.  For them it will be a most uncomfortable meeting.  Rodger