December 8, Acts 26
Are you persuasive? Can you motivate people? Successful salespeople, politicians, coaches and preachers are persuaders. Their words and actions influence other people. Although this power is often used for selfish purposes, persuasion is a valuable skill for people who want what’s best for others.
Paul was a persuader. Speaking to King Agrippa, he asked and answered his own question: “Do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” It’s unclear whether Agrippa was really almost persuaded to become a Christian. He may have been mocking Paul, or asking if Paul intended to convert him. Translators choose how to cast the king’s words, and many versions offer alternate marginal readings. Whatever Agrippa meant, he felt the tug of Paul’s persuasiveness as he listened to the apostle’s defense.
Paul wanted the king and everyone else listening to become just like him, except for the chains. He would later tell the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitated Christ, and the Philippians to do what they had learned, received, heard and seen from him. It takes confidence to tell people not just to listen to you, but to watch and follow your example.
Paul modeled some secrets of persuasiveness in his speech to Agrippa. First, he lived by convictions. Paul was intentional, not haphazard. When he was an enemy of Christ, his conviction fueled his raging fury against the disciples. He was convinced that persecuting Christians was what he ought to do. After the Lord appeared to him, he changed sides, driven
by his new conviction that Jesus is Lord. Conviction is important because not everyone will agree with you. Some may persecute you instead of being persuaded. Others may mock and insult you. Conviction doesn’t bend under the strain of persecution or wither in the face of ridicule.
Paul also lived with a strong sense of authority. He followed strict rules as a Pharisee. He arrested disciples under authority from the chief priests, and was traveling to Damascus by their authority when Jesus appointed him and sent him on a new mission. He was still under authority, but now that authority came from a different Master.
Paul’s unwavering devotion was driven by hope. He said he was on trial for his hope in God’s promise to the Jews. He saw the irony in Jews persecuting him for embracing their long-awaited hope. He told them that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the promises and prophecies. But they rejected the message, and persecuted the messenger.
Paul wanted his hearers to be like him, except for his chains. Is there some exception about your life that you would not want people to imitate? Is it something you need to surrender to Christ’s lordship?
Could God use you to persuade people around you to follow Christ? It will require more than eloquence. Live by your convictions, submit to Christ’s authority. Display the difference that hope makes in your life. Then you can be confident as you persuade people to be like you.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—December 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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