In our current social climate, many seem to proclaim that it is enough to be passionately sincere in one’s faith and/or belief. No longer does truth matter. Most would say all roads lead to God, regardless of one’s belief system. That is if one is passionately sincere concerning their faith. Although in that camp of thought, many don’t even require passionate sincerity. But if one considers those throughout history who have been passionately sincere concerning their beliefs you would see Hitler, Stalin, and even those who flew planes into the world trade center. Hitler and Stalin firmly held to the beliefs of the secular humanists, who later determined the need to rewrite their manifesto after the atrocities of both regimes. Their core belief is that men and women can rise to a higher moral status without belief in God and
Indeed, the secular humanist movement rewrote their manifesto three times, despite which they successfully transformed the United States by changing how we raise our children and how the schools teach our children. They became instrumental in eradicating God from our schools, attempting to remove a child’s ability to even pray or read their Bible individually within the schools. They are passionately sincere in their faith; however, preaching tolerance while demanding intolerance to any who believe other than they. On the contrary, Christianity truly demands tolerance in how we treat others while remaining uncompromising on what we believe. To be passionately sincere in our faith does not mean violence to those who disagree. Rather, we are to lovingly live our lives exemplifying Christ so that others see Him through us. Thereby displaying the truth of the gospel, while never wavering in speaking truth, speaking light into the darkness around us.
Passionately Sincere Saul Of Tarsus
Saul of Tarsus was passionately sincere in his Jewish faith. 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. As touching the law, a Pharisee. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church. Touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless (Philippians 3:5-6). He was brought up in (Jerusalem) at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God (Acts 22:3). This same Gamaliel had spoken up earlier and told the leaders to be tolerant of Peter and John as they spread the gospel; because, if it is not of God their message would die; but, if it be of God, no one can stop it (Acts 5:34).
Yet, when Stephen began to spread the message farther by going to the Hellenistic temples, Paul realized that no one, not even himself, could win the debate against Stephen. Did Stephen’s message prick the heart of Saul? This would never do! Christianity must be stamped out before it could spread any further, Saul determined. Beginning with the stoning of Stephen, Saul set forth to destroy the Christians. He went door to door throughout Jerusalem gathering up the Christians, otherwise known as “the Way” people. They stood upon the belief that “Jesus is the Way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to God apart from Jesus.” If Jesus is the only way to God, then all of Saul’s pious righteous following of the law was worthless.
Therefore, Saul set forth to destroy all the Christians. He did so sincerely passionate in his faith and belief that he was right. Then as he marched upon the road to Damascus, he met Jesus face to face. That encounter changed everything!
Passionately Sincere, but Deadly Wrong
Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, (desiring) of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues. If he found any of this WAY, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2
As he journeyed, he came near Damascus (Acts 9:3) He saw a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about him (Acts 26:13) He fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’
Saul responded, ‘Who art thou, Lord?’ And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.’ Saul trembling and astonished said, ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, ‘Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.’ (Acts 9:4-6).
Saul breathed forth anger and hatred toward those who proclaimed Christ to be the only way of salvation. He was passionately sincere in his faith, believing that he was righteous in his persecution and slaughter of these Christians. That is, until he met Jesus on that road. When the light blinded him as the presence and Glory of Jesus Christ surrounded him, was he reminded of Stephen looking into heaven and proclaiming he saw Jesus seated on His throne?
Yet, was this not an answer to Stephen’s final prayer? “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. (Acts 7:60). The men stoning Stephen laid their garments at Saul’s feet, indicating his leadership in this act. Saul was passionately sincere in his faith; but, deadly wrong. While Stephen was passionately sincere in his faith, willing to die that Christ might be glorified.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
The sad reality is that all too often those who do not know the truth are the ones most passionately sincere in their beliefs. How is it that we the Christians, particularly in this country are so blasé about our beliefs? We are content to know that “we are saved and going to heaven?” So, we allow our faith to be lukewarm. But then are we truly the redeemed if the flames of Jesus Christ and all His Glory does not burn passionately within our hearts? If we are not willing to fall before Him prostrate to say, “Lord, what would you have me do?”; then do we know Him at all?
So, my question to you is, “Do you know Him as Savior and Lord of your life?” Are you passionately sincere in your faith, proclaiming Jesus Christ as the only way of Salvation? If so, go out and spread His gospel message to everyone you meet and don’t be afraid of the consequences of doing so. Only if we do this can we hope to save our country from destruction. Far more important, only then can we lead the crusade, spreading the gospel message to all men and women around the world. We must do so with the passionate sincerity and grace, Stephen portrayed, and that which Saul portrayed once transformed by Jesus into the Apostle Paul.
What cost to self is too great to suffer for the eternal salvation of one soul?
Twitterable quotes
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DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
PREVIOUSLY
How to Have the Faith to Stand After Failure
Did You Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit?
Is there a Faith that Cannot Save?
But for God, the Sorrows that Abound
How can Relentless Persecution Really Bring About Good?
One of the Greatest Sermons Ever
7 Characteristics of Stephen Everyone Should Know
A Child’s Woeful Cry and God’s Reply
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
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