Doug Van Pelt

A Negative Confession

When Paul the apostle was in Miletus, he sent for the elders of the church in Ephesus. He told them that he was going to Jerusalem and he did not know what would happen. He said, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -- the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace." He also knew that those he was talking to would never see him again. He also stated, "After I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!" His words weren't so positive. He said that in every city the Holy Spirit told him that prison and hardships were facing him.

It's a wonderful thing to have a "hotline" to God, but it would be an error to assume that the message would always be positive and about prosperity, wouldn't it? Paul was a brave man, and he not only spoke the truth in love, but he obeyed Jesus even though he was warned that it would be trouble. Back when he was first converted (which was simply Jesus revealing Himself to him and he choosing the only appropriate response -- repentance, which involved belief, trust, and obedience), some people were instructed by God to minister to him. Their first response was, "Don't You know what this guy did?" (He used to have Christians killed) And God responded, "I have already told him about what he must suffer." So Paul knew what was ahead of him, but he faced it willingly. Knowing that God and His Son are real is a powerful motivator.