In this week's text, Paul shows a remarkable patience with folks who do not agree with him. (That's a quality that sometimes seems to be in short supply.) For example, he has seen idols all over the place (Acts 17: 16), but instead of accusing the people of Athens of perpetuating falsehoods, he describes this condition to show that they are religious (Acts 17:22). And when he begins to teach them about God (Acts 17:24), he even finds a way to quote something good that the poets of Athens have said (Acts 17:28).
Now, it is quite true that not everyone was persuaded by Paul's address (Acts 17:32), but others-praise the Lord!-wanted to hear more and became believers (Acts 17:33).
How do we live with our differences? How patient are we with those who walk to a different drumbeat? How do we find where there is common ground upon which the Lord can build tomorrow? Do I only talk with people with whom I agree? Does my life match what I am telling others about the Gospel? What is of the irreplaceable essence of my relationship with Jesus Christ?
Even though the apostle builds on mutual understandings, he comes to a point where he draws a line in the spiritual sand. The world is going to be judged by the standard of Jesus Christ (Acts 17:31 ). The invitation then is to repent (Acts 17:30). Uh, I re-read that passage in the New Revised Standard Version to see ifl am excused from that call. I see words like "human," "all people everywhere," and ''the world." Those incluÂsive terms do not leave much hiding place from the command of God.
In The United Methodist Hymnal (248), there is a hymn with an inÂteresting refrain. One stanza speaks of the birth of Christ; another stanza tells of the coming of the wise men; the final stanza celebrates the angels who sing with joy because of Christ's birth. The challenge comes in the refrain. After each stanza, we sing "Ideo-o-o." There is an asterisk that directs us to the meaning of that word. "Ideo" means "therefore." Christ is bom ... therefore. Wise men come ... therefore. Angels sing ... therefore. And now we have heard the good news. What is the therefore in my life?
What Someone Else Has Said:
N. T. Wright (Surprised by Hope, Harper One) wrote: "What you do in the Lord is not in vain ... You are-strange as it may seem, almost as hard to believe as the resurrection itself-accomplishing something that will become in due course part of God's new world."
Prayer:
As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: "Grace giving God, use me ... "
