Beauty for Ashes
—Isa.61:3
Have you seen what the apostle Paul saw on the road to
Damascus? True, you may be acquainted with him but have you seen
what he has seen?
His way of life as recorded in the Scriptures abides as a
monument of grace to all who will put their trust in the Lord Jesus.
We are introduced to Paul in his own words, I am indeed a
Jew, born in of Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at
the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our
fathers’ law, and was zealous towards God as you all are today—Acts.22:3.
Though a Jew by nationality, he was a Roman citizen by birth;
a status that placed him at advantage with privileges in both
worlds.
Paul, known in his youthful days as Saul, studied under the
supervision of one of the most renowned scholars of his time. This
qualified him as a Jewish theologian having both theoretical and
practical distinctions.
While his privileged right as a Roman citizen inflated his
conceits, his wealth of knowledge bred him into a pharisaical
terrorist. Collectively, both qualities nurtured disaster in the one
man.
In his zeal to fight for the God of his fathers, he
slaughtered Jehovah’s people en-masse. Many were made orphans,
others were amputated, while some were imprisoned or exiled.
Deaf to the cries of
the blood of murdered saints, and insensitive to the Spirit’s grief,
his bitter hatred qualified him for the chief-priest’s
recommendation as a true patriot.
Backed by the applause of men and led by the compass of
Judaism, he set off for Damascus in company with other henchmen to
pursue his insatiable desire for cruelty.
But as the band of commissioned killers galloped their way on
horseback towards Jerusalem, he himself was arrested.
The risen Lord of glory accosted the maddened Saul with his
group of cohorts. The encounter with Christ in blazing glory
accompanied by a thunderous voice cast the now helpless Saul into
the dust.
Physical blindness became his lot. This actively informed him
that despite his religious sophistry, he was blind to the simplicity
and beauty of the Messiah. And thus the realization dawned that he
must become blind to his former religion, if truth was to become his
heart’s desire.
At the instruction of Christ, Saul opened his eyes following
the simple prayer of Ananias, an ordinary man who was devoid of the
sophistication of religion and intellect. And thus Saul’s blindness
to his erstwhile religion was sealed.
Completely divested of human glory he was arrayed in robes of
righteousness. The then lofty Saul now had been transformed into the
lowly Paul, having this to say, circumcised the eighth day, of
the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the
Hebrews; concerning the law a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting
the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law
blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted
loss for Christ—Phil.3:5-7.
Paul calls our
attention to the different things that puffs up the human mind.
The qualifications enumerated in this account, contains much
instruction for all who are bound in the shackles of self-deceit.
Paul had observed the traditions of the fathers from
babyhood; he was circumcised the eighth day. As far as the
culture of the ancestors was concerned, he was no defaulter.
But
strict observance of Jewish customs did nothing to better him
spiritually neither will they benefit us.
God’s Word transcends our traditions. We ought to stop
placing our hope in this things, knowing that you were not
redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your
aimless conduct received by traditions from your fathers—1Pt.1:18.
Circumcision is a mere outward treatment of the flesh. It
does not affect the heart of man within. We may seriously discipline
the flesh; by not drinking, smoking, or indulging in anything of the
sort. But such dealings with the flesh do not make us righteous.
True circumcision has to do with the spirit. Concerning its
application, God has this to say; Circumcise yourselves and take
away the foreskins of your hearts…--Jer.4:4.
Nationality was another contributing factor to Paul’s former
ego; being of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a
Hebrew of the Hebrews, were the catalysts of his initial
self-importance.
Lamentably today many consider themselves to be from
Christian nations. But being an indigene of a renowned nation with
historical distinctions in religious attainments does not absolve us
of the need for repentance.
It rather proves the ineffectiveness of such a heritage or
claims to save the lost. Others hold to the fact that they are from
Christian homes and even go by Christian names. But none of these
things will save us from the guilt of sin, they are merely chaff
that will be consumed by the terrifying judgment of the Lord Jesus.
Concerning the law, Paul was a Pharisee: Listen to him,
according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee—Acts.26:5.
But this was just another useless qualification. Being
inextricably tied to one denomination because our parents or we were
born therein is folly.
At best, such commitments lead us into devotionless execution
of religious activities in an attempt to please men. Strict
adherence to church tenets and careful observance of theological
ethics, meets with the apostle’s rebuke to people, having a form
of godliness but denying the power thereof. And from such people
turn away—2Tim.3:5.
Saul had zeal and that zeal led to the persecution of God’s
people. Oh! How we fault those who do not belong to our sect!! How
quickly we judge as unspiritual those who do not attend our
programs.
It is such zeal that
has killed the desire for true godliness and fosters the passion to
protect our denominational codes.
And surely, persecution follows. Discord, verbal assaults and
bitterness proceeds from us towards those who choose to lovingly
follow the Lord Jesus other than following our religious creeds.
Though all these qualifications paved the way for Saul to be
regarded as a strong believer and faithful follower of the truth in
the eyes of men, it was all rubbish.
Paul, now in the path of true godliness says, but what
things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ—Phil.3:7.
Not only were these things useless to him, they were a loss!
A debt that stood against him.
It tells of wastage of profitable time used in pursuing
worthless things of vanity.
Friend, culture, family, zeal, or even belonging to the most
popular religious denomination will not bring the spiritual
satisfaction you need.
They constitute rubbish that will be reduced to ashes in the
end. The Lord invites you out of all these time consuming but
profitless deceptions into His rest. He calls you to accept the
beauty of true Christianity for the ashes of religion and
formalities.
Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden,
And I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you
And learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
And you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy
And My burden is light—Mtt.11:28
Written by Ade--Peters
http://gospelfromtheheartofafrica.com
Brother Peters near the village of Rotaprr in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
A Bible teacher and Gospel preacher, Temitope Adewole (Peters) desires to help make disciples for the Lord Jesus.