Scripture: Acts 13:15
After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.”
Thought for the Day: Within the Christian faith, leaders and preachers ask rhetorical questions as a tool by which they bring everyone into their way of thinking. The only problem is when you ask a rhetorical question, you expect to see people nodding in agreement. When some of the religious leadership in Antioch asked if anyone had a word of encouragement based upon the reading of scripture, they did not expect Paul to stand up and give them an ear full. Too often the church asks for people to express their opinion with the expectation that the opinion will continue to tow the orthodox line. We live in a culture where people wish to engage in conversation, and Christianity should be able to be challenged, stretched, and when needed, confronted in a way that will cause it to change. I’m not suggesting that we give up the idea of God’s immeasurable grace, but how we understand it in our world today, may look a lot different than it did in the First Century or even 10 years ago.
Prayer: Give me the grace to truly listen, O God, so I might grow in my understanding of you and world around me. Amen.
