Reflecting on Acts 19-21

What do I do when God’s truth has backed me into a corner?

In my life right now, one of the biggest sources of frustration and anger is my workplace, regarding one relationship in particular. I’ve never felt so trampled, belittled, and disrespected by another person than this individual. Over the past few months, these are the thoughts that I have running through my mind: ‘No person deserves to be treated like this,’ ‘I have the right to work in a place where I and others are treated fairly,’ ‘At some point I won’t be able to stand by while this person treats others like he does, I’m going to snap.’

In my moments of clarity, I recognize that the root of all my concerns is what I believed I’m owed, what rights of mine that have been infringed upon. When these concerns are held up under the light of the Word, they wither. What am I owed in this life? What rights do I deserve?

The Book of Acts recounts the journeys of the apostles as they traveled throughout the Roman world, sharing the gospel of grace with everyone who would listen. The book is full of beatings, unfair trials, stonings, scourgings, unjust accusations and imprisonments, all endured by the apostles. They were often locked in prison cells, kicked out of community gatherings, dragged before city officials, or sneaking out of cities to avoid being murdered by enraged mobs. And yet despite all this, Paul was able to say in Acts 20:24, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” The apostles held to their certain hope in Christ, the one who overcame all powers of this world, the one who raised us all to new life with Him. In the face of every trial that was thrown in their path, they chose to believe God’s Word.

God my Father has given me everything. He raised me from death and placed me in His Son. He has given me all grace, all peace, all hope, all joy, all love. He has given me purpose. He has sealed me with His very Spirit. He has given me life. As I ponder my perceived needs at work, I am confronted with truth. I have no need that God has not met. And He, as my loving Father, promises to use trials and struggle to grow and mature me, faithfully transforming me into the image of His Son. My God is the God who has provided overwhelmingly all my needs.

Looking at it from every angle I can muster, this relationship at work is nothing but a blessing and a teaching tool. In light of truth, there is no room for whining or complaining about my situation. No matter how disrespected, offended, or furious I may feel, I must reckon with God’s truth. He has called me to love this person, to walk humbly before them. He has called me to represent Him to this person. He has called me to walk worthy of Him as I live each day He’s given me. By submitting humbly to these callings, the Father will be glorified.

“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:6-7.

Backed into a corner by truth. How to respond? What other way is there? God’s Word is the only source of truth. I must obey. I should not be surprised or offended in the face of trials like this particular work relationship. I should welcome them joyfully, fully confident that my loving Father has allowed this into my life for His perfect purposes. I am imperfect and I will fail, but He is faithful, and He will not give up on me.

Lord, I believe your Word. Help my unbelief.

Reflecting on John 14-17 & Acts 16

The night Jesus was betrayed, He spoke of the certain suffering that was to come to those who chose to believe and follow Him. He also promised all comfort, peace of mind and heart, and victory. He spoke of our new identity, our new joy, and future glory. He spoke of the glory that would come to the Father when His disciples chose to walk in light of what was now true of them, in unity and truth. These certain promises brought hope and purpose to the disciples as they went out into the Roman world to preach the truth. Amidst unjust courts, prison cells, beatings, stonings and torture, the disciples walked in light of their new identity, bursting joy and certain hope of future glory.

Christ purchased my freedom with His life. He promises me all comfort, peace of mind and heart, and victory. He has given me a new identity, a new joy, and has promised future glory. And when I choose to walk in light of truth, He will bring glory to Himself through my life. All of this is astounding grace upon grace upon GRACE.

And yet like the prodigal son, I choose to squander my inheritance and eat with the pigs. In light of all Christ has given, “as a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness” (Prov 26:11). What a waste. What foolishness. Like I said before, Christ purchased my freedom with His life. “If the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36). Praise God that He has nailed my sins to the Cross with His Son. He pours grace over my head unceasingly.

Oh my King, my Creator, my Father, my God, you’ve given me everything I could ever need to walk worthy of who you’ve made me. Forgive me, restore me. You’ve intended this little pathetic life of mine to be used for your purposes, not my own.

I look at the disciples. It’s easy to focus on the horrors endured for the Father, but I don’t think that’s the most important part of the stories. Through their lives, thousands upon thousands of lost souls were brought to light. They came to understand and believe that Christ has purchased their freedom with His life. They came to understand Christ’s promises of comfort, peace of mind and heart, and victory. They came to understand their new identity, their new joy, and their certain hope of future glory. And through such understanding the Father was glorified. And those souls now behold Him with their own eyes, and they rejoice even now before His glorious throne. And my hope is the result of them, of generations of believers choosing to believe His Word and having the faith to share their hope with a neighbor. Somewhere down the line of humanity someone shared their hope with me, and I came to understand the same truth.

So it’s time to stand up under His wondrous grace, and start walking in light of what is true. I know failure lies before me, because I know my heart. But God’s Word is true. In Him, there is only victory, joy and glory. I don’t want to waste this gift of life my Father has given.

Lord, I am humbled by Your grace. Thank you for not giving up on me. Teach my foolish heart.