STRANGE THINGS

“Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, ‘What does this babbler wish to say?’ Others said, ‘He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities’—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.’ And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean. ’Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” (Acts 117:16-21 ESV)

Strangely enough, in these days and times, just as the men in Athens in the text below, there are people who are still caught up in modern day idolatry. Yes, there are those that put materialism and much achievement ahead of our magnificent Almighty God. There are those who put being identified as one included in the number of people who have it “going” on first, rather than being identified with God who should be first in the lives of all men, women, boys, and girls. Modern day idolatry: succeeding is desired more than proceeding to have a closer walk with God. Security and comfort are looked for in things and places of this world first, way ahead of finding security in the hands of God, and comfort at the place where our Sovereign God can be reach on His gracious throne. My friend, evaluate your own life to see if modern day idols have become your prioritized and desired things, and look at your home and see if modern day idolatry has made its way into your living space.

In the text above, Paul is described as teaching some strange things to the ears of the Athenians. The Apostle clarifies what the men think as being “strange” by going straight to the truth. See Paul’s response in the verses below, noting that verses 24-31 are often referred to as “Theology in a Nutshell.”  After reading them, if necessary, change your priorities. If you are already living in faith, agreeing with Paul, and your relationship with God is the desirable place for you, above all other things, then Paul’s words may prep you for witnessing. What are you waiting for?  Evaluate your life! Recognize what the men of Athens called “strange things” is the straight truth! Have a terrific Tuesday! Be blessed!

^“So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘’For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’” (Acts 17:22-31 ESV)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King