Pauline Attitude

 Can you hear the huff and puff of disgruntlement about being asked to do something you really don't want to do?  Picture it in your mind, especially if you think your rights have been pushed or violated.  In today's terms, think of the anti-vaxxers and 'mask-ers' in this COVID-19 era that has extended to 2022.  What a fuss and stink they make!  So many pros and cons across the board.

Notice what the big man apostle Paul did when he got to Jerusalem and leader James and elders of the church there asked him to do something.  His attitude and feelings are not recorded but his actions showed his submission to and co-operation with, the church oversight's request.

This was even at his own expense too!  He paid for himself and four others to keep a vow, which was likely a Nazirite one.  At the end of the Nazirite vow period of time, they'd shave off  their hair because they weren't supposed to cut it during the vow period and then make offerings, paying the expense fee to give notice of the days of purification.  For five people that would add up.

The purpose?  So that the Jewish population and more significantly, the "zealous" Sanhedrin members would observe that Paul,

"did not turn away from Moses..." (Acts 21:21 NIV),

despite his mixing and mingling with Gentiles and preaching Jesus.

- which kind of backfired.

Anyway, remember the case of Paul circumcising Timothy because they were going to minister among Jews, and Timothy was known to have a Jewish mother and therefore considered him to be one too?  This taking the vow seems to be a similar scenario.  

Paul once wrote that he was all things to all people that he might gain some for Christ ( 1 Corinthians 19-23).  He was saying he was living "the Law of Christ" (vs 21 NIV).  This encompassed such acts as a circumcision and entering into a Nazirite vow.

I remember a story I once read about a Hindu Guru from India who had come to Christ.  He now had freedom in Christ to eat whatever food he wished, including beef.  However, for the sake of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to his own family and beyond, he refrained therefrom.  This Law of Christ works in many instances but we must also see our motives and purpose are in line with the Lord's for the things we allow in our lives in the name of Christ and that we are not using His name in vain.

Normally we baulk at people asking us to do such things that are contrary to our own inclinations, wouldn't you say?  Paul's example can be a good lesson  for  us all to meekly entertain such requests that keep the peace and unity of the Spirit; gain the ears of the unsaved and so on, so that the gospel can be preached in word and action so that as many as possible will come to Christ because we are living the law of Christ.

This even if it requires us to spend our money, time and/or effort and go outside our own 'code-of-conduct', without compromising our testimony to our Lord and Savior, of course.  In so doing, we show we love the Lord our God and also our neighbor as ourselves. Next time you go to church and are asked by the leaders to do something that is not "your thing," think of Paul's example.

Yes, we know from reading the remainder of Acts 21 into 24 to the end of Acts that a 'volcano' erupted anyway.  The thing that counts in this matter I believe, is what the church was trying to achieve for Christ (not as man pleasers) and peace and the attitude of complying to the authority of the eldership.

This may sound dangerous to you to blankly submit.  It prickles the hair on my arms to think of it, too.  The oversight did not force or brainwash Paul - no coercement.  They gave reasons which Paul must have felt warranted his actions.  We do not simply accept everything but must "test  the spirits whether they be of God" (1 John  4:1-6) and then make a respectful appeal of our opposing wonderings and thoughts to those in authority over us.  This, however, is another whole  kettle of fish.  My focus here is Paul's attitude despite his inconvenience and charges incurred; monetary and freedom included.

May we all be blessed by such a Pauline attitude, ourselves.  Let's win souls for Christ because of it.  

Praise the Lord!

                                                     ~ERC  November 2021~

Based on Acts 21.