And (king) Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”
- Acts 26:28
Do we live persuasive lives? Do we speak words, as did Paul, of selfless authority and penetrating authenticity? And are these words evidenced by the follow-through of a changed and changing character?
King Agrippa walked into court with all the self-promotion and pomp of Apollo Creed in Rocky (I or IV – you pick it). He thought hearing Paul would provide good sport. When Agrippa walked out, it was with a new recognition of a void in his soul. Truth pierces the heart and exposes what is within. The power and authenticity of Paul’s words (and life) could not be ignored.
I believe Agrippa hid behind his question to Paul. He was exposed and it was uncomfortable. A light was shone into dark areas of his life; into areas he was unwilling to go. The Apostle John utilizes the analogy of light and darkness in the first chapters of both his gospel and of his first letter. The light of Jesus shines in the darkness. Yet many react by trying to hide from the light. Many embrace the darkness. Like Agrippa, it is natural to hide when the light of truth shines into areas that we are not ready to face.
Paul was exposed by the light of Christ on the Damascus road. It changed him. When we are exposed by the light of Jesus and his truth we are faced with a choice; a choice that leads down divergent paths. One is a path of perpetual darkness, hiding and covering up. The other, though blindingly uncomfortable at first, is a path of grace and continual light. John writes that we, "…walk in the light, as he is in the light… (1 John 1:17).
Exposure to the light of Christ is not a one-time thing. We are continually exposed through scripture, worship, the community of believers, prayer, etc. And as we walk in the light, we become persuaded people. Persuaded by Christ's love, his truth, his presence. As the old hymn says (based on 2 Timothy 1:12): I am not ashamed: ...for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Persuaded people are persuasive people.
God, shine your light on me.
For now...
D
