God Loves Sinners

I was watching The Bible today on the History channel and something Paul said caught my attention, "but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope."

 Let's backtrack. I can't help but be really fascinated by Paul's ministry. This guy was a major a hole back in the day. Thought HE knew the TRUTH and ended up being responsible for murdering innocent, faithful Christians. Specifically, upset by his treatment of Stephen. Stephen was a young follower of Christ who was defending Christ's good news. Saul (later renamed Paul) led a mob against him, accusing him of blasphemy and stoned him to death.

 Thoughts: life is not always pretty. Truth is not always pretty. Walking in faith can be especially ugly sometimes. Suffering is a real part of life with Christ.

 Saul was a little whistle blower. He thought he knew God's laws better than anyone else. Yet, he was so blind to the TRUTH of who Christ was. He was stuck in the ideology of who HE believed God to and what TRUTH was. Also, he strikes me as a majorly bossy, dude who thinks he's always right. Does this remind anyone else of a good portion of the Christian church today? Judgmental, unloving, no compassion, self-absorbed? You can add more to the list, if you'd like. ;)

 This is what I think is hilarious, on his way to persecute and kill more followers of Christ, God blinds him! Good one, God! *high five*. Then he speaks to him, introducing himself as JESUS and asking why Saul/Paul is persecuting him? Bet Saul felt like a pretty big chump right about then.
God used a man named Ananais to heal Paul. Even though Ananais was initially reluctant because he knew what a bad dude Paul had been. Paul had to swallow his pride and be vulnerable about how God changed his life.

 So here's what is especially interesting to me...God decides to use Saul...changes his name to Paul and makes him an apostle. This guy is responsible for teaching/ preaching the gospel of JESUS CHRIST. Paul ends up writing a good portion of the New Testament. Ok, now here's what I LOVE...from reading some of Paul's writing in the New Testament to the church...he's still a little bossy boss. God changes his heart but is willing to use that crazy fool...and the guy ends up having some pretty great advice to offer. He also ends up suffering many ordeals and being persecuted and beaten himself.

 Alrighty now. Back to, "but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope." I've heard varieties of this verse before. When Paul started in with, "glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance"... I thought, "Yep!". Then he said, " perseverance creates character" and I thought..."ain't that the truth" and then he said..."character creates hope" and my mind= blown away.

 Rejoice in your suffering because it brings hope. That hope does not disappoint us because that hope represents God. Suffering tests and builds our trust in God. As much as we all know the truth in that statement, it can be pretty difficult to accept. Well maybe ya'll are wiser than I am and you don't struggle with this particular point. Congrats! haha

 I have a really hard time with this. Not just in relevance to my life or my family's, but especially in seeing the suffering of so many people in the world. It often leaves me questioning God. There is no good answer to life's suffering because suffering sucks...but God still asks us to rejoice in it. It will bring us closer to him and reveal his love and truth in this world to those who need to hear it.

 Reflecting on Saul/Paul's life...Saul was a pretty big time sinner. A murderer, zealot, man of pride, and a cray cray. God called him to a life of faithfulness. He changed his heart and asked him to live for him and preach the TRUTH (Jesus). He had to stick through some crap, and learn to rely on the hope of Christ. He had to learn to be loving, compassionate, less judgmental and less self absorbed (though he still seemed bossy to me) to be a real follower of Christ. He had to endure some persecution to share Christ's news and reduce other people's suffering.

 My thoughts: His story is an encouragement in my life. God can use anyone, anytime. Hopefully, he can grab your attention without having to blind you...but watch out...he will resort to blinding (:D ). Also, rejoice in the difficulties because we have the promise and love of our heavenly father. He will not leave you, or forsake you...even if it feels hard. God is faithful to us and calls us to to be faithful to him (which often includes suffering). Woah, big cycle there. :)

Love ya'll
Feel free to share your thoughts. Would love to hear them, whether you agree or disagree or would like to add to the discussion!
-Tiff