The example of Paul


Many times in our journey we deal with situations in which we feel like we've been treated unfairly. And not only wronged but also powerless in the face of such a situation. Although we know the righteous character of God, we often become discouraged, we complain, leading to a sin that we often do not realize we are committing: murmuring.

The apostle Paul is an example of someone who is quite wronged (and in our view, which would have reason to complain). At the end of his life in his letter to Timothy, Paul makes one of his most famous statements: "I have fought the good fight, I have completed my course, I have kept the faith: now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. " (2 Timothy 4: 7-8). The circumstances in which the apostle was were the worst possible. Arrested in a dungeon in Rome, about to be killed, accused of a crime he did not commit. In the following verses we see that Paul asks Timothy to "go to him quickly." Paul was imprisoned, alone, abandoned. He asks the young man to take his cloak, since he did not even had the opportunity to take it before being arrested, which leads us to believe in the terrible cold of that prison (v.21). We see that Paul also tells Timothy that Demas has forsaken him (v.10), having loved the present century, and that a man named Alexander, the metalworker, caused him many evils (v. 14a).

Historians say that it was this Alexander who delivered Paul to the Roman Empire to be arrested and, consequently, martyred. In my freedom to interpret the Bible, I believe that this moment would be ideal for Paul, in a popular language, to "run down" this Alexander. He could vent, speak evil, but said only "the Lord will repay him for what he had done" (v.14b). Paul understood that, regardless of the situations, God was with him. Paul's strength and faith did not come from any circumstance or from people, but he was grounded in the character of God! What a beautiful truth! Paul could "not care" about afflictions, betrayals, abandonment, rejection, ingratitude, injustice because he knew who God is.

I believe that it was in the face of this truth that Paul realized that everything he could do all things in Him (in nature, in the character of God) who strengthens him (Phil 4:13). He knew that for every injustice God judges with a scepter of equity (Ps. 45: 6); for every abandonment, God would never leave him (Deut. 31: 6-8); For every affliction, the gentle yoke of Christ (Mt 11: 28-30); For every betrayal, the vengeance of the Lord, Just Judge (Rom 12:19); For every cry, the consolation (Mt 5: 4); For death, the promise of eternal life (2 Tim. 4:18). There is no situation in life difficult enough that God's grace can not reach. And His Grace is enough for us! (2 Cor 12: 9).

So, dear reader, if at this point you are experiencing something like this, keep your heart from complaining and steadfast in the character of God. Recently I heard a phrase, I do not remember the author, but it says "if you have time to complain, you have time to pray!". The Lord watches over our weaknesses and He is not afraid of who we are ... rather, He wants us to pour out before Him and wants us to understand that He uses every situation to forge our character in the image and likeness of Christ. Of all the injustices in the world, there was none greater than that which Jesus suffered, the Lamb of God who had no sin, but died for us sinners. May we take advantage of situations to be more and more like Him, our Savior, who suffered in silence. Let us follow the example of Paul, let us follow the example of Christ ... in the name of Jesus, amen!

Comentários

Postagens mais visitadas deste blog

Análise: Os Arrais - O Bilhete e o Trovão

Análise: Os Arrais - Outono

A viagem de um barquinho