When I was a kid, I was a bully. There was one kid who lived in the neighborhood that I picked on relentlessly. I made fun of how he talked, the way he dressed, and even made fun of his dad. I was not a good neighbor. In today’s Scripture, we see the Apostle Paul admit to his bullying tactics. We learn from other parts of Scripture that his persecution of the church involved hunting people down and throwing them in jail. He was complicit in at least one murder. Yet, he would have maintained his bullying was just proving his zealous attitude toward the law. Even if we think we are right when we attack others, we are wrong. We must act with love towards all. Yes, that means we take a tough stance for truth, but some of the toughest people I know are the most loving. They have learned how to be tough and tender. Paul’s life and attitude changed when he encountered Christ. I hope mine has as well.
Philippians 3:6: “I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.”
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Scott Maxon 