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Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you
God wants us who call ourselves
Christians to have attitude. As Christians we are subject to the
test of the devil. He has a right to challenge us, to try to
undermine our faith, to live below the promises God has set out for us
in the Bible. St. Paul is challenged, not once, not twice, but
often. In this particular instance Paul is on trial for his
faith. The devil is trying to undermine Paul’s call to preach the
gospel of Jesus Christ. Where many would view the challenge as a
problem, Paul uses the challenge to share his faith, his experience,
and his love for God, Jew, and gentile. St. Paul had attitude and
the problems he faced as a Christian, rather than weakness became
opportunities to evangelize. Even God who knows this to be true
says to Paul, “Do not be afraid, Paul, You must stand trial before
Caesar.” Rather than freeing Paul to live the rest of his life in
freedom and comfort, God allows the test to continue.You can persuade me to be a Christian? Act26:28 David, too, has attitude. The challenge of Goliath does not cause David to waver. For David an uncircumcised heathen is no match for a circumcised Jew no matter how big or strong he was. The test of the enemy, the challenge to the Jews faith is no match for David. Though the whole Jewish army fears Goliath, David who has killed the bear and the lion, David who has communed with God as a shepherd, meets the challenge head on. David has attitude! Daniel, who prays even at the risk of his life when forbidden to do so, has attitude. Thrown in the den with lions, a great trial to his faith, becomes Daniel’s legacy. The book of Hebrews records many who in their faith have attitude. The question is forthcoming: “When faced with a challenge, a challenge which appears insurmountable, whether being on trial for your faith or in facing health issues, financial issues, issues which challenge you integrity and faith in God, do you waver or do you have attitude?” The church flounders if it is surprised or appalled at the challenges thrown at us by the devil. It is the devil’s agenda to disrupt and interfere with a smooth Christian ride to heaven. He wants nothing better to hinder, mislead, and undermine any, and every, Christian who purports to live by faith in God. If you realize this fact, you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free. I exhort you, “have attitude”. It is he who overcomes that will share in the kingdom and glory of God, not so the fearful and unbelieving. Learn from the great men and woman of God. They all had attitude! Amen |