Have you ever been angry? I mean…really angry? The kind of anger that blinds you to reality, to be able to see and to think clearly? The kind of anger that consumes you, taking over the logical part of your brain and actually is the impetus for some irrational and vengeful actions on your part? I hope not but, if so, you may have a taste of Paul’s/Saul’s motives. Let me explain.

In Matthew 23 we find what is called “The 7 Woe” passage. Jesus pronounces 7 woes or judgements on the Pharisees. The woes exposed their religious hypocrisy. These 7 woes were a scathing rebuke. Fast forward a couple of years to Acts 7: 58 and we find a one verse mention of Saul’s presence at the stoning of Stephen. In Acts 9 we see him viciously carrying out vengeance and a vendetta against the early followers of Jesus. ‘Course we know how all that changed, but let’s not miss the point. Jesus condemned the Pharisees; Saul was a Pharisee; therefore, Saul was condemned.

In Phil.3  Paul recounts some information about himself: “…as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” Whether he heard Jesus or not we don’t know, but there is no doubt he got the message…and he didn’t like it.

No one likes to be called a hypocrite. Sadly, if the shoe fits wear it. That goes for me too. Every act of not backing up what I say with my actions is another black mark on the reputation and message of Jesus.

“Father, help me to be true to You, to be true to my words. Help me to be true to what I say by how I live.”