In my early days, and a blushable number afterward, I was mesmerized by the Apostle “who was also called Paul”. In my mind, he was an ancient Indiana Jones with a vast knowledge of scripture, coupled with a KO communication style. His life was seductive to my spirit. I still admire the man. My point of view, however, was in much need a pair of glasses. I was saved but not yet transformed.
Placing anger in the round, it was something I struggled with as an unbeliever. Getting saved gave me fuel to set it aside. Briefly. After reading Paul’s epistles, viewing how fiery he was in various scenarios, anger came knocking once again, this time sporting a cross around its neck. “Hi, I’m righteous anger!” it duped. A clever disguise. And one I fell for. Hook. Line. Sinker.
Following was a keen eye to see the faults in everyone else. Sharp in tongue, I set out to be just like Paul - correcting everything that ‘needed’ correcting. “This is the work of the Lord” I presumed. It was also exhausting. Putting relationships at risk. I was working upon the fumes of my own fuel - which were minimal at best. Some said I was bold (the praises of man). Roger that! So on I went…
Delinquent of vision, I was in the dark around Paul's connection to the people he was addressing - that great depth in relationship. He poured everything he had into them. Blood. Sweat. Tears. Years. Some of the ways in which they were behaving, despite what he'd done were heartbreaking. And he was heartbroken. Insert Paul’s anger.
One thing I like to say today, one thing that finally occurred to me, "If you don't understand the end of Paul's letters, you don't understand any of it." Many of his epistles end in a greeting of friends by name, oftentimes adding a description of his relationship with them. These are not shallow remarks! Not by a long shot.
Unfortunately, I, and many others, make or have made policing attempts to correct others in the body. It's as if we see what Paul has done and make haste to assume our position to do the same. Social media is rife with scavengers, seeking to set straight those they deem “sadly mistaken”. Been there. Done that.
What's missing in so many of these interactions is the depth in heart-to-heart relationships that Paul poured out day after day, year after year. If we carefully observe his tone, we may recognize a contrast in the way he brings correction to the church in Rome versus say, the song he sings to the Galatians. For it was Peter who fathered the Roman Church. Not Paul.
Is there a place to bring correction? Absolutely. Are we accurate in our administration of it, or rather cut-rate in our attempts? Resembling something of a witchhunt? Seeking to appear as though we’re greater Christians than we actually are? Ananias and Sapphira knew a bit about the latter. Remember how they fared?
Faith, hope, and love were the fuel from which Paul burned. We all possess the power to do the same. Exchanging our fuel for Christ’s. Replacing our lust to look important. Repenting of unrighteous anger. How does that sound? Thanks for listening!
Thanks for your transparency, Ken