Straight Thinking 032468 an Example for Great Men
Straight Thinking
032468
AN EXAMPLE FOR GREAT MEN
Sunday. The apostle Paul grew up in Tarsus, Cilicia, an education center of his time. He studied in Jerusalem under Gamaliel, one of Judaism’s most famous rabbis. He led the early Jewish persecutions against the church in Jerusalem. After his notable conversion, he became the most zealous propagator and defender of the faith the world has known. In this respect, he was the greatest man that ever lived. (Read Acts 22:3; 9:1-6, 17-20, 31; Galatians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:9-10.)
Monday. The mighty and noble and wise constitute a minority among us, so the gospel has fewer of them to call, and fewer of them answer the call. Society admires the mighty; the noble glorify themselves; wise men may think they don’t need God. But Paul led countless numbers to admire and glorify and depend on God. He is a refreshing exception to the musty majority. (Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.)
Tuesday. The greater the man the greater the opposition he generates. Luke’s outline history of the early church records eight attempts to kill Paul, besides the uproars that Jews continually stirred up against him. Young, talented Christians soon learn that evil adversaries still concentrate on their most capable opponents. (Read Acts 10:23, 29; 14:5, 19; 17:5, 21-31; 23:12-13; 25:1-3.)
Wednesday. A teenager’s talent is often his destruction. A young guitar player may get lost in the darkness of the nightclub where he performs. A gifted mechanic may crash against the wall of a nearby underpass. The road to ruin is paved with the misused talents of younger people. (Read Luke 15:11-24.)
Thursday. With his vast armies, Alexander the Great conquered the Mediterranean world and beyond, spreading Greek culture in three continents. With a few co-workers, Paul spread the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome, conquering people’s hearts and minds for Christ. Whose work remains as the best and most lasting contribution to civilization? (Read Hebrews 13:20-21.)
Friday. Paul is gone, and the leaders of the church from then till now are gone too. The next thirty years will skim off another layer of the milk of humanity. If no new cream of the crop rises to the top, your generation will amount to nothing more than skimmed milk. (Read 2 Timothy 4:1-6.)
Saturday. Everybody looks for greatness in promising youth. If you have a promising future, you’ll be in demand. The world is looking for great men to lead it; Satan goes after great men to destroy it; God wants great men to save it. Now is the time to come to the aid of your world by taking the apostle par excellence as your example of a great man for great men. (Read 1 Timothy 4:12; 6:3-16.)
Virgil Warren, Straight, March 24, 1968, p13 cihristir.org