If Osama Bin Laden were to release a video with tears in his eyes, expressing that he had recently committed his life to following Jesus, denouncing his previously violent interpretation of religion - and asking for forgiveness from every individual and family his network had terrorized and harmed - how would you respond? Sound too ridiculous to even consider?
This Sunday at Valley, we will learning from a true story in the Book of Acts which is not too far removed from that scenario. In this case, the terrorist's name was Saul of Tarsus - a deeply religious man who for several years was a key mastermind behind the terrorizing and killing of many early Christians. You can imagine how the early disciples and leaders of Christianity must have felt when when this man approached them claiming to have had a radical conversion to Jesus and to His way of love rather than violence and hate...
"Fellowship" is a radical concept - radical in the right sense of the word. When Christians find themselves in fellowship with one another - they view themselves as standing on a level playing field at the foot of Christ's cross. They realize that they are equally valuable, equally forgiven, and equally grateful for the goodness of God in their lives. How in the world was it possible that a group of individuals who had suffered so significantly at the hands of Saul's evil agenda were now able to fully accept him into their spiritual family? Could you find the strength to do such a thing? Would you even consider this a sign of strength? Come hang out with us this Sunday at one of our three gatherings (8AM, 9:30AM or 11:00AM) to learn more - and feel free to chime in with your thoughts right here at Raw and Relevant!!!
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