“Do not devise against your neighbor,” for he dwells by you for safety’s sake”
(Proverbs 3:29).
Saul of Tarsus had been educated according to a strict Hebrew school. To him, his religion was the only thing that could lead him to salvation. He couldn’t stand anyone questioning him or attacking his beliefs, because when confronted with the smallest accusation he fiercely reacted against those who opposed him. That’s how his character began to adopt a noticeable religious pride. But one day a group of people appeared who claimed to preach a different message. They were men and women who were called the followers of a certain Jesus, a man who had been crucified around the year 31 A.D. Like the majority of the Scribes and Pharisees, Saul despised Christians and considered them a squadron of ignorant people, fanatics and Jewish heretics. Nevertheless, the disdain Saul felt soon turned into hatred.
He couldn’t tolerate seeing them at the Synagogue speaking to people about Jesus’s sacrifice, and he couldn’t stand watching them share their material possessions or showing brotherly love in contrast with the selfish society. And least of all the fact that they dared to preach the great truths of Judaism to foreigners!
A fanatical hatred toward Christians began to grow in his heart. So one day he decided not to allow those «heretics» to continue to diminish Judaism. Then, to his colleagues’ satisfaction, he organized a paramilitary group to persecute and capture Christians. That’s how he became a hero to the priests, Pharisees and Scribes; an exemplary defender of the Hebrew faith and a guardian of Judaism.
t’s not known exactly how long he persecuted Christians. The truth is he destroyed many lives, separated many parents from their children and tortured many others. He enjoyed seeing how the believers suffered and exhaled their last breath. Hatred was reflected in his eyes and he didn’t hesitate to hit and hurt the ones he thought were members of a «sect.» Now, in the name of God he was killing people whose only sin was having a different religious perspective from his.
Religious intolerance is a dangerous attitude that can turn into hatred and, in turn, into persecution and attacks against those who think differently. That’s unacceptable. God Himself respects the wrong decisions made by His children, who will give account of their actions at the final judgment. The Lord loves sinners, but disapproves of their bad actions.
Don’t make plans to hurt your neighbor, not even under the pretense of defending your faith. That attitude isn’t blessed by God
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Take From: Daily Devotions for Youth 2020
«A New You»
From: Alejandro Medina Villareal
Collaborators: Gezer Noria & Misael Morillo
