Talk about a turn around!

We often find it hard to restore fellowship with brothers in Christ with whom we have had disagreement.  We have disputing and murmurings.  We draw lines and part ways.  We try to justify our position and we, with all holy intention (really?) set our hearts to pray for our misled brethren. 

After all… what they did is really too hard to get over.

Or is it?

Can we experience unity in Christ once again?  Can we get past the past and look to the hope of glory?  Can we really forgive and be restored as one body in Christ?

Let’s ask Philip.

A little history so we can understand where he is coming from…

“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business… And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.” Acts 6:3, 5-6

So Phil was one of the first Deacons of the church in Jerusalem.  From the looks of it, if the order of the list means anything, he was second.  And man of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.

Sounds Good.  Let’s keep the story going…

“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon [God], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death….As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed [them] to prison.” Acts 7:59-60, 8:1a

Interesting… Saul, who became Paul… took as much part in Steve’s murder as was legally allowable for a Pharisee.  We could say he was for it.

Then with Stephen now with the Lord, Philip receives the anointing.

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” Acts 8:5-6

What’s all this got to do with unity and forgiveness and getting past the past?

“And the next [day] we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was [one] of the seven; and abode with him. And as we tarried [there] many days.”  Acts 21:8,10a

WOW!!!  Not only did Philip forgive Paul of his hand in the murder of his friend and co-laborer Stephen…  He welcomed Paul into his home… for many days.

Guys… as men of God, followers of Jesus Christ… followers who desire to be effective… followers who desire to be men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom…we can learn something here.

Phil got over a friend’s murder and joined in unity, welcoming into his home someone to whom he had every right to say, “Sorry bud, that whole Stephen thing was just too much for me to handle.  You’ll have to find another place to stay.  But be blessed in Christ.”

But Phil knew that Saul had repented.  He knew that he had changed his mind.  He knew that he had taken it to the cross.  And so he acted as an ambassador of Jesus.

That is Christian love, forgiveness, and unity.

That is being a man of God.

That is being an effective follower.

Think of how He will honor those who reflect His love.  If there is anyone in your past that could be a Saul to you… pray that they become a Paul… a new man… so that you might be that ambassador of Jesus to them.

Lord,

I pray that if there is anyone in my past who may have hurt me, wronged me, sinned against me… whatever it is… if that person is a Christian…, if they became a Christian…, or if they become a Christian… that I might see them as You see them… that I might let the Holy Spirit do what it does, and that I would allow them to enter in to my house.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

SDG