Called to Look Inward

Acts 23:6-10

“6 When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” 7 When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) 9 Then a great clamor arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.”

The Pharisees on the council, who believed in the resurrection of the dead, found nothing wrong with Paul, but the Sadducees on the council, who did not believe in the resurrection, wanted to tear Paul to pieces.

When we hear a speaker who teaches what we already believe, we think the speaker is brilliant.   When we hear a speaker who teaches things we oppose, we call him a heretic or false teacher.  It may never occur to us that what we believe is wrong.

We are often so concerned with being right that we never seek to discover the truth.

Christians are called to be life-long students of Christ and of God’s truth as revealed in scripture.  When we hear something that we think is contrary to our current beliefs, we are called to look inward and thoroughly examine our own beliefs rather than tear the speaker to pieces.

Let us respond as Christ rather than as the Sadducees.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)