… so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,
Summary: Change can be good, but it is always change, and change requires that we let go of the old and embrace the new.
When Paul was known as Saul (his Hebrew name), his entire focus was being the best Pharisee ever. Part of his motivation probably was to earn the admiration of other Jews. Jesus described their trait this way:
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.” (Luke 11:43)
It is ironic that God would task Paul with preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. And what a change for Paul!
Gentiles, in Paul’s day, were considered “unclean.” Even the important ones. John’s gospel describes how the Jewish leaders refused to enter Pilate’s palace because it would make them unclean for the Passover.
So here is the great Saul, who spent his entire life seeking the admiration of the Jews and looking down on Gentiles, now looking down on Jews and seeking the admiration of Gentiles.
Wow!
Talk about making a “one-eighty!”*
The change in Paul’s life wasn’t just that he had to admit he was wrong about Jesus. He was wrong about everything! Intellectually, his world was turned inside out. Socially, his world was turned upside down. Everything in Paul’s old life, before he met Jesus, was left behind. The change in Paul was what a geologist might call a “tectonic shift.” The earth moved under Paul’s feet, and everything he had believed in changed.
Application: Don’t be afraid of change if you are following Jesus.
Food for Thought: Do we face the same social barriers Paul did? Are there types of people we look at as “unclean?” Does Jesus challenge us the same way he challenged Paul?
*A “one-eighty” is old-school lingo for turning around and going the opposite direction. (Turning 180 degrees.)
While we might not face the same social barriers as Paul, we certainly face social barriers. Instead of trusting circumcision for salvation, people may trust in their good works. Instead of Gentiles being unclean, we might see certain sinful pasts as being insurmountable – such as some addictions or grievous acts like pedophilia.
I think we face the same challenges because of the sinful nature in all of us, but they may wear a different mask in our culture.
Thanks Rich.
I think your comment captures the essence of “unclean” in our modern society.
I agree with Rich’s comments.
I think we face similar social and “faith” issues today as in Paul’s time. We may view others as “unredeemable” or even as “the enemy.” All that does is place sin above the sinner, which is not what Christ did when He died on the cross for all mankind. We have to cherish that Christ loved us despite our sin, and gave invitation for everyone to accept the salvation He provided.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Chris,
You make an important point when you note the danger of placing “sin above the sinner.” You bring to mind Mark 2:17 —
“On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.‘”
01-04-2024, Do we face the same social barriers Paul did? Are there types of people we look at as “unclean?” Does Jesus challenge us the same way he challenged Paul?
After receiving Christ at 33 years old, I immediately went to my family and tried my best to tell them about Jesus. My father, a man who had beaten me my whole life, began crying as he told me, “ I have spent my entire life trying to keep you out of church, and now here you are, a blanked de blank Christian.” I closed my bible and left, in time we simply led separate lives.
I had to completely separate myself from all my friends who were not interested in Jesus, experiencing living according to God’s will. There were social pressures to return to my old ways, but my life with Christ was far more rewarding than anything the world offered.
God tells us, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23. He also, very clearly tells us there is an unpardonable sin. Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:29, 1 John 5:16, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, denying all the work of the Holy Spirit, which leads ultimately to rejecting the deity of Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9, 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Other than the unpardonable sin as defined by God, there is only sin and Godly living in obedience to God. Their are no levels of sin,
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it” James 2:10.
So, in my heart, I believe, by the power of Jesus Christ, I have been called out of the unclean, and will only be purified, fully sanctified when present with my Lord. I am left on earth, not to minister to the righteous as some are, but to minister among and to the unclean, I don’t judge who is worthy, who is icky unclean or clean unclean. All either know Jesus as their Savior or do not. And Christ in me is here to help them get well.
Ron,
Thank you! Your comment opens the door wider and takes in the question of how we live as Christians. There is a need to separate from our old ways, our old life in the world. Yet, as you point out, we still live in the world for a reason.
Jesus explains that we are to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)