Overcoming an infamous Reputation
Acts 9:26-31 (NIV) 26 When he (Saul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
As children, we are likely taught that the one thing to value and protect above almost anything else is our name. Saul was proud of his name but found a reputation once established is difficult to change.
Paul tells the church at Philipi, “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”
But God…because of the sacrificial work of Jesus, we are given a new identity. However we were recognized before, we are now disciples, Christ followers, and nothing will ever be the same.
Still, Saul learned it takes time to rid ourselves of past associations. People were wary of his motives, afraid his new attitude was simply a ruse to find and persecute Christians. But a young man named Barnabus had witnessed the transformation and testified to the veracity of the change. Barnabus accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey and became well known as an encourager among Christians.
May we be aware of how our words and our actions impact others, and may the light of Jesus shine through in everything we do and say.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen
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