That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
Summary: When we stop and think about it, Paul’s metaphor of a runner “cutting in” can teach us a lot about dealing with the distractions of our daily lives.
What persuaded you to believe in God and his Son, Jesus Christ? What kind of persuasion caused you to believe the Bible is God’s Word? Were you persuaded by threats and intimidation or by love?
Have you ever wondered why some people go around threatening people with graphic descriptions of life in hell? They are usually trying to persuade someone to believe in Jesus because they believe (rightly) that without Jesus, we are all condemned to the lake of fire.
Does the threat of hell convince a non-believer? I don’t know. I suppose it depends, in part, on how convincing their description of hell is.
What is more effective as a tool for persuading people is love. The kind of love that describes God’s love for us, agapé. Agapé is sacrificial, persistent, deeply personal love. This is the kind of love God showed the Galatians through Paul.
Then Paul left to do the Lord’s work in other places, and somebody “cut in” to “keep [them] from obeying the truth” (Gal 5:7).
The metaphor of one runner cutting in front of another suggests that the Galatians were forced to slow down in their pursuit of the gospel. Somebody got in their way. This physical obstruction changed the focus of the Galatians from winning the race to dealing with the obstruction.
Has that ever happened to you?
Have you started the day with every good intention of _________ (fill in the blank)? Perhaps you were going to start your diet today? Maybe you had a list of things to accomplish? Possibly, you were going to read the Bible today and spend time in prayer.
No matter how many “good intentions” were on your list this morning, did something “cut in” to distract you? Have you found yourself taking your eyes off your goal?
Persuasion by distraction is, by any definition, insidious. Without realizing what is happening, we find ourselves dealing with a new challenge, one that we didn’t plan for. Suddenly, our focus shifts, and our original goal is forgotten.
This simple method of distraction is how easy it is for Satan to do his work.
Paul left the Galatians “running a good race.” As soon as he left, Satan “cut in” to distract the Galatians. They couldn’t be distracted by the normal means used to corrupt the human race, but that didn’t stop Satan. He used religion itself to corrupt the believers and lead them astray.
Don’t let that happen to you!
Application: Keep your eye on the goal and don’t be distracted.
Food for Thought: What kind of persuasion is used by the “one who calls you”?
What kind of persuasion is used by the “one who calls you”?
Or The “One” who calls me? It feels like I’m being called from two different directions one by calming love, and another yelling loudly from evert nook and cranny around me. I’m thankful for the quiet times I get to try to be in His word. Thank you Jeff for glorifying our Lord.
Anon-
I can relate to the “two directions”! Quiet times with our Lord are the BEST! 🙂
I am very motivated by the cross.
2 Corinthians 5: 14 – 15: For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Thanks Rich!
Great point! More than a symbol, the cross brings into focus the sacrifice required by God’s love for us.
I think there are three good ways to persuade: with authority, with compassion, and by example.
Authority: one who speaks with confidence of their authority is often very persuasive. One who demonstrates their authority, is also very persuasive, especially when it is done calmly and in an appropriate measure.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”
Compassion: one who acts in compassion often persuades others to do the same, or brings them to the realization that they themselves are not compassionate.
Matthew 9:36. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 14:14. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
By example: I think this one ties in the first two. Speaking and believing is one thing, but doing is a higher level of persuasion.
1 Peter 2:21-23 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
In thinking about today’s question, I found myself asking myself, how has Christ “persuaded” me? I have to be honest and say that it was fear that first persuaded me as young boy. The acceptance of Christ as my Savior took away that fear, but it seems like growing up Christianity was a lot of rules. Somehow in my heart I had settled into a place where fear of eternal damnation was gone, but living in the Spirit in love wasn’t there either. I spent many decades making many mistakes until I found myself lonely, broken, and telling God that I didn’t feel His presence in my life and that I wanted to feel His presence in my life. Then Christ’s persuasion was “If you can let go of these things, not because they are against “the rules,” but because they are what is separating Me from you, I can show you My presence in your life.” It has been that way ever since. That there are times I feel like I am standing on a cliff, and below is a chasm of self-interest, and I turn around and Jesus is over in the grass saying “come over here, come this way, and you will have everything you really want and more.” And I don’t mean that materially, I mean that spiritually and emotionally. He speaks those words with authority, with compassion, and I can see the evidence of His words in His life and in mine.
Wow, Chris,
Nicely put. I appreciate the personal testimony as well as your well reasoned analysis. Thank you!
What kind of persuasion is used by the “one who calls you”?
John 10:3, To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
We are each loved into an our relationship with our Lord. God’s voice is like no other. He is our creator, speaks with power, directly to our hearts. We each recognize His voice and must make our choice to follow or reject His call.
Ron,
You point us to the one thing we all want and need, to hear the Voice of our Lord, gently calling to us. Amen!