City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that this immeasurable power will be seen as God’s, not ours.

2nd Corinthians 4:7 (The Passion Translation)

²⁶ When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to introduce himself to the fellowship of the believers, but everyone was afraid of him because they doubted he was a true disciple. ²⁷ Barnabas came to his defense and brought him before the apostles. Saul shared with them his supernatural experience of seeing the Lord, who spoke with him on the road to Damascus. Barnabas also told them how boldly Saul preached throughout the city in Jesus’ mighty name.

²⁸ Then they accepted him as a brother and he remained with them, joining them wherever they went in Jerusalem, boldly preaching in the power and authority of Jesus.

Acts 9:26-28 (The Passion Translation)

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s text behooves us to look beyond one’s “common clay exterior” and see the glorious treasure within. 

Paul’s testimony is stunning–in more ways than one. He had an encounter with God that marked him forever. He devoted his life to the preaching of the Gospel even though it brought him great opposition and suffering. This just further bolsters his true transformation and commitment to God. 

However, this was not always the case. Paul had a history of persecuting the Church mercilessly. He was even an accomplice in the stoning of Stephen. The fellowship of believers who doubted Paul’s conversion had legitimate reasons to be afraid and guarded. 

Praise God for Barnabas who came to Paul’s defense and vouched for him. Can you imagine how history would have played out if Barnabas hadn’t intervened? As a new believer, Paul desperately needed a community of believers to nurture and encourage him. I’m sure even he had his doubts initially. But Barnabas turned the tide, and Paul blossomed in his faith and relationship with God and went on to spread the Gospel prolifically as a result. 

As believers, we have a responsibility to welcome new believers and help them grow in their newfound relationship with God. It is not our job to judge their motives or try to discover some hidden agenda. We must look beyond all that, and choose to actively see the treasure of Christ inside. 

Let’s model our Savior, who reached out to the rejected throughout His earthly ministry and beyond. Jesus embraced a leper, dined with prostitutes and tax collectors, ministered to the scorned and isolated woman by the well, and spoke with a fearful Pharisee in the night among countless other acts of compassion and mercy. He called out and corrected hypocrisy when it was needed, but He didn’t write off the hypocrites. He gave everyone a chance to know the Father’s heart.

Application

Is there anyone in your church or social circle whom you have written off or labeled as “irredeemable.” This attitude is antithetical to the Gospel. Nobody is beyond God’s transforming power if they decide to follow Him. 

Ask God if there is anything you can do to help that person feel welcome and loved. It could be sending him/her an encouraging text, treating the him/her to lunch, lifting the person up in prayer, or simply changing your attitude towards that person. 

If you have been in church long enough, you may have experienced an inhospitable crowd or have been misjudged or hurt as well. Just know that is not God’s heart toward you. He went the distance to make sure you would have a place in His house. Have patience with those people and choose to forgive, knowing that God can transform anyone. 

Prayer

Father God, thank You for welcoming me into Your fold. According to Ephesians 1:6, I am accepted in the Beloved. Thank You for accepting me and bearing the punishment of my sin. Help me extend the same grace and kindness that You have so lavishly shown me to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.