All too often I think I credit Paul and his actions to the divine orchestration of God. While there was certainly some divine intervention and direction at times, I also believe Paul was an example of a vulnerable free will agent. God was with Paul, but Paul had to face beatings and shipwrecks head on. The nasty details of his stories were experienced first-hand. I don't imagine that the pain and discomfort was pleasant. It's cool that Paul found a way to rejoice in the midst of his calamity and time and again God showed His faithfulness. However, all the human drama that he went through was real human drama. You can't just write about this stuff, you have to experience it -- good times and bad times.
This aspect comes through pretty loud when I read Galatians 2. Paul is talking about some meetings with other leaders about the Law. It was an important meeting. I'm sure there was stress and tension involved. Paul says, though, "We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the Gospel might remain in you." He was fighting for the freedom and grace of the believers in Galatia, so that they may not be deceived into adding to their saving grace, observance of the Law. He was also fighting for you and I. His fight was important. He had to win. It was intense. But just like a sport or a game, you don't really know who's going to win until the game or match is played. There is uncertainty about the future. We don't know what will happen.
I can imagine a pastor or leader having a similar meeting today. There may be a problem or issue that needs to be dealt with. Meeting about it might be a huge conflict. It might get messy. The agents involved don't really know what the outcome will be. They'll have a hope and they'll fight with determination, but they'll just have to see. That is the sort of scenerio I can see (and almost hear and sense) happening with Paul. Yes, Paul turned out to be quite a hero, but he was flawed. He was human. He was like us. You or I can truly be used of God in as much a mighty way. Why would I say this with confidence? Because the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead resides in us who believe. This Holy Spirit can empower us to do incredible things. Sometimes they might be hard things, like when Paul opposed Peter "to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong." Peter was a founding member of the church! This was no small battle, but Paul sensed it was the right thing to do and he fought.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at January 24, 2006 08:52 AM