Tag: Paul

Christian Shrewdness

The events of Acts 22-23 provide a compelling example of Paul’s remarkable shrewdness. After being arrested in Jerusalem, Paul navigates a labyrinth of danger and intrigue with wisdom and calculated action. Despite his willingness to suffer for Christ, Paul does not recklessly throw himself into harm’s way. Instead, he uses every legal, social, and strategic means available to him to preserve his life and further the Gospel.

When Paul speaks to the crowd in Acts 22, he opens with his personal testimony, appealing to their shared heritage as a Jew and his credibility as a Pharisee. Yet when his words provoke anger, Paul doesn’t stubbornly insist on continuing but leverages his Roman citizenship to avoid a brutal flogging. His claim to citizenship forces the Roman commander to reconsider his actions, effectively granting Paul a layer of protection. Later, in Acts 23, Paul cleverly divides the Sanhedrin by declaring his belief in the resurrection—a doctrine embraced by the Pharisees but rejected by the Sadducees. This causes internal conflict among his accusers, buying him time and shifting the focus away from himself.

This narrative challenges the idea that seeking suffering is somehow more virtuous than avoiding it. Paul’s actions demonstrate that suffering for the Gospel is a willingness to endure hardship when necessary—not an active pursuit of pain or martyrdom. Paul’s ultimate goal remains the spread of the Gospel, and he uses his intellect, legal rights, and social awareness as tools to protect his mission.

As Christians, we are called to emulate Paul’s shrewdness. Jesus Himself instructed His disciples to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). This balance calls us to integrity but also to strategic thinking. We honor God not by walking into unnecessary danger but by stewarding the opportunities and resources He has given us.

Are there situations in your life where you are called to defend your faith or navigate a difficult circumstance? Do you rely on wisdom and prayer to guide your steps, or do you charge ahead without seeking discernment? Paul’s example reminds us that faith and wisdom are not at odds. Both are gifts from God, designed to work together to accomplish His purposes.

Christian shrewdness is not manipulation or dishonesty. It is the faithful use of God-given wisdom to navigate life’s complexities while remaining anchored in truth. Like Paul, we should seek to advance the Gospel with boldness and intelligence, trusting that God equips us for the journey.

Paul’s Lost Letter: Sometimes We Need to Be Rebuked

Rebuke isn’t something we naturally seek out. It stings, wounds our pride, and can leave us feeling vulnerable. But in 2 Corinthians 7, Paul shows us that rebuke—when done with love and a heart for restoration—has the power to bring life-changing results.

Paul refers to a letter he had written to the Corinthians, now lost to us, in which he rebuked them sharply. He admits he regretted sending it at first, knowing it caused them sorrow. But he also acknowledges that their sorrow wasn’t pointless; it was a godly sorrow that brought repentance and spiritual renewal. Instead of wallowing in shame or rejecting his words, the Corinthians allowed the rebuke to change them. They responded with zeal, clearing themselves of wrongdoing and realigning their hearts with God.

This passage teaches us a profound truth: rebuke, though uncomfortable, can be an incredible gift. Sometimes we need others to speak truth into our lives, pointing out blind spots or sin we’ve grown too comfortable with. Receiving rebuke requires humility, the willingness to admit we’re not always right, and the courage to change.

On the other hand, giving rebuke isn’t easy either. Paul didn’t relish the thought of confronting the Corinthians. He wrote with tears, not anger, because his goal wasn’t to hurt but to heal. True rebuke comes from a place of love, not superiority, and seeks restoration, not condemnation. It’s not about pointing out flaws to tear someone down but about calling them back to the fullness of life in Christ.

Ultimately, rebuke is a means of grace. When we lean into it, whether as the giver or the receiver, we experience the transforming work of the Gospel. It reminds us that God’s desire isn’t to leave us in our brokenness but to restore and renew us. Rebuke, though painful, is often the first step toward deeper fellowship with Him.

So how do you handle rebuke? Do you resist it, or do you allow it to refine you? Are you willing to lovingly confront others when God calls you to, even if it’s uncomfortable? Let’s remember that the goal is always restoration and the joy that comes when we align ourselves fully with God’s will.

On the Vulnerability of Leadership

Leadership can feel like walking a tightrope. On the one hand, leaders are expected to guide with wisdom, strength, and decisiveness. On the other, they are human—prone to weariness, doubt, and the need for support. Paul’s plea in Romans 15:30-32 offers a rare glimpse into the vulnerability of one of Christianity’s most influential leaders. He asks for prayer, not out of formality but out of deep need: “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join fervently with me in prayer to God on my behalf. Pray that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea and that my ministry in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.”

Paul does not pretend to be above the struggles of ministry. He openly acknowledges his fears and uncertainties. His request for prayer demonstrates a profound truth: leadership is not about projecting invulnerability but about fostering mutual dependence on God. Paul’s words challenge the modern tendency to idolize leaders who seem “above it all.” True leaders, like Paul, recognize that their strength is not in isolation but in a community that prays and intercedes with them.

What does this mean for us? Whether we lead in a church, a family, or a workplace, we must resist the urge to act as if we have it all together. Paul’s example invites us to share our burdens—with discretion and wisdom—with those we trust. Vulnerability in leadership does not diminish respect; it deepens it. It creates space for God’s power to be made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Yet vulnerability requires courage. It means acknowledging that we do not have all the answers and that we cannot carry the weight of leadership alone. It also means inviting others to partner with us through prayer, encouragement, and accountability. Paul’s request to the Romans reminds us that even the greatest leaders need prayer warriors to stand in the gap for them.

Reflect on your leadership today. Have you created space for vulnerability, or are you trapped in the pressure to appear invincible? What struggles are you carrying that you need to bring to God in prayer? And who are the trusted people in your life with whom you can share these burdens?

Christ Himself modeled this in Gethsemane when He asked His disciples to watch and pray with Him. If Jesus, the perfect leader, embraced vulnerability, how much more should we? Let us lead with authenticity, inviting others to see not our perfection but our dependence on God, so His strength can shine through us.

Good Enough? Not Even Close!

In the opening chapters of Galatians, Paul confronts a troubling idea: that righteousness before God can be earned through human effort. For some early Christians, the path to holiness seemed tied to strict adherence to the Mosaic law—a rigorous system that no one could keep perfectly. Paul knew firsthand how impossible it was to attain righteousness this way. The law, as Paul explains, is not a ladder to God; rather, it’s a mirror, showing us just how far we fall short.

This is why Paul’s words still ring true: the law wasn’t given to save us but to reveal our need for a Savior. If it were possible to be “good enough” on our own, then Jesus’ sacrifice would be unnecessary. But in our imperfection, Christ’s perfect obedience becomes our saving grace. Jesus fulfilled the law in ways no one else could, and because of our relationship with Him, we’re declared righteous—not by our actions, but by His.

When we live with this understanding, good works take on a new meaning. They’re not a checklist for salvation or proof of our worth but rather a response of gratitude for what Jesus has already done. We live righteously because we’re loved and saved, not in an attempt to become loved or saved. This mindset frees us from the endless cycle of trying to “measure up” and invites us to rest in the assurance that Christ has already bridged the gap.

Let’s not allow ourselves to be drawn back into performance-based religion. Instead, let’s remember that our worth is found in Christ’s fulfillment of the law and His deep, unwavering love for us. We live righteously not out of obligation but out of joy, thankful for a salvation we could never earn but freely receive.

The Unrighteous Righteous

Throughout Kings we have seen David described as righteous over and over again. We are told that he obeyed all the laws and regulations of the Lord and — if you’re like me — the justice side of your brain is hollering, “WHAT!?”

Is this the same David who married foreign women? The same David who forced himself on a vulnerable married woman? Who tried to cover that affair up? Who had the husband killed so he could marry his baby-mama? The one who was too cowardly or distant to discipline his own children? The one who refused to hold his own men accountable? The one who tasked his son to exact revenge on his behalf? That guy? That guy obeyed ALL THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS? Are we sure we’re talking about the same fellow?

Then we read about Solomon marrying 700 women of royal birth. Remember these were treaties signed with foreign nations! So not only was Solomon amassing women who will turn his heart away, but these women are also of royal birth and represent treaties with a great many nations and/or city-states. And, of course, if you are going to maintain good relationships with those peoples with whom you have a treaty, you are going to honour their heritage for fear of upsetting this new ally. You can see something similar today in the way our political leaders in the west will attend a Catholic Mass on Christmas, a Hindu Temple for Diwali, and a Muslim Mosque for Ramadan.

It is clear that both of these men have broken the laws and regulations. So then, why is Solomon found guilty where David is found innocent? Make it make sense!!

The difference was the same then as it is today. We need to pause the ‘JUSTICE!’ part of our brain and examine the ‘grace’ part. In order to bring a better understanding, let’s look to the Apostle Paul. This passage from Romans is talking about Abraham, but it could just as easily refer to David or anyone else who came before Jesus, but trusted in the Lord:

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Romans 4:20-22 (NIV)

Today I was again reminded that David was a man “after God’s heart”. This doesn’t mean that David was PATTERNED after God’s heart, but rather that he was CHASING after God’s heart. His eyes were on the Lord, even if his hands and feet and eyes and… other things… were places they should not have been. And that — to quote Robert Frost — has made all the difference.

This is the same way that God sees us today. This is how our faith is credited to us as righteousness. The righteousness that we could not hope to earn by our works. And so this righteousness is a gift of grace through faith that justifies us in the eyes of the God who will be our ultimate judge.

Justified. Just-as-if-I’d never sinned at all.

God’s Hatred of Yeast

Ever since the Passover we have been reading about unleavened bread. Yeast is not allowed! If you’re like me, you have likely been wondering why God has such an irrational abhorrence toward leaven.

Well, if you Google that you are likely to end up with several folks telling you that it is because of Paul’s teaching in Galations 5:9 that, “a little leaven, leavens the whole lump.” But in the words of Kevin McAllister… I don’t think so. I find it extremely unlikely that God was pointing to leaven as a metaphor for sin without ever explaining that metaphor for hundreds of years… long after these people who started the practice were dead.

Another — better — explanation you will get is that the Egyptians chased them out so quickly that the Israelites didn’t have time to leaven their bread and so the practice points back to the Passover in that way. (cf. Exodus 12:31) And this sounds reasonable, until you realize that just a few verses earlier God told the Israelites that they would need to observe the coming passover with unleavened bread before the Egyptians ever chased them off. So this always seemed unlikely to me.

I was stumped

But as I was talking with my wife about this, she casually suggested that God probably just wanted the bread to be a special symbol. Talk about a lightbulb moment! The bread was set apart!

Think about it. You know that Passover is coming, so you are going to make a special, unleavened loaf. A loaf that was, from its inception, always meant for a sacred purpose. You were not going to grab a loaf off the shelf that was already made for something else and repurpose it! This bread would be set aside for God.

God doesn’t deserve our “sloppy seconds”. He deserves forethought and intentionality. Ponder that thought as you consider what you offer to God in terms of your time, talent, and resources.

Levitius 9-11 | 050/365

The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth

Do not be afraid. We hear God and his angels say this so often when they appear in the Biblical narrative that one wonders if perhaps it is the standard greeting in Heaven. But I think this phrase has another application. Job accuses his friends of lying in order to defend God. I think this is a challenge we should receive as Christians today… and every day, for that matter.

How often are we tempted to soften God’s truth. We like to shave off the corners, and sand down the rough edges until we’ve taken the brick for building and turned into a smooth river stone. God does not need our defence. Especially if we are going to misrepresent Him. That judgement will get overturned on appeal anyway.

God flooded the world, drowning almost the entire earth’s population.

God killed the guy who touched the ark, who was only trying to help.

God authorized the slaughter of the Canaanites, He created, He destroys.

God chose to bless and use people who were terrible, like Saul or Saul.

God doesn’t want us to like Him, He wants us to understand who He is. So don’t bother trying to win people to kinder, gentler, fuzzier god… that is NOT the God who created the universe. Once you start changing God so that He better fits our contemporary ideas of what a god should be, you are headed down the slippery slope of preaching what the Apostle Paul calls “another gospel”.

The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth. So help me God.

Job 12-14 | 022/365

Don’t Do God’s Job

God made two promises to Abraham. The first, that his descendants would out number the stars in the sky. The second, that he would be given the land of the Canaanites to possess. Abraham and Sarah wanted a son so badly they could almost taste it. So when God promised them that they would get a son, they took things into their own hands to see how they could “help“ God achieve this goal. Their attempt to aid God led to problems in their marriage, problems in their household, and strife between the descendants of Ishmael and the descendants of Isaac. No such attempt was made to prematurely take the land of Canaan by Abraham and Sarah.

If we believe God is leading us into something that we already want, the temptation is significant to try and “make it happen”, but this is more likely to mess things up than bring them into fruition. If we want to see God work, we should let God work. We don’t step in and say “thanks God, I’ll take it from here”. In 1 Corinthians 4:7 Paul says, “What do you have that you did not receive?”, he recognizes that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father (James 1:7, paraphrased).

Don’t do God’s job. You’ll be bad at it.

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