One way evil people try to confuse the issue is by claiming that those who stand for Biblical morality, for God’s Truth, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, are guilty of that vilest of all sins, the sin of intolerance! In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef examines Paul's attitude in the face of criticism.
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[00:00:00] You are listening to My Devotional, the Daily Devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading
[00:00:06] The Way.
[00:00:08] Standing Firm in the Face of Criticism by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:14] Sometimes in his letters Paul seems so strong, confident and full of faith that he appears
[00:00:19] to be a spiritual superhero.
[00:00:22] But Paul was as human as you and I.
[00:00:25] Cut him and he bleeds.
[00:00:26] Flander him and he fills the wound.
[00:00:30] Criticism and opposition always hurt.
[00:00:32] Yes, we can reach a stage of spiritual maturity where we are better able to manage our pain
[00:00:37] and forgive an injury, but only a person with ice water in his veins could say that criticism
[00:00:42] doesn't hurt.
[00:00:44] Paul looked to the example of Jesus.
[00:00:46] He was comforted in knowing that his Lord and Savior, his role model, was consistently
[00:00:51] criticized and attacked.
[00:00:54] The Lord's enemies called him a glutton, a drunkard, a lawbreaker, a blasphemer, a seditionist
[00:01:00] and a demon-possessed madman.
[00:01:03] Evil always tries to portray good as evil and evil is good.
[00:01:08] Evil men always try to create confusion and divert attention from their wickedness.
[00:01:14] One way evil people try to confuse the issue is by claiming that those who stand for
[00:01:18] biblical morality for God's truth for the gospel of Jesus Christ are guilty of that
[00:01:24] vilest of all sins, the sin of intolerance.
[00:01:29] If a Christian supports God's model for Christian marriage and the Christian family, one man
[00:01:34] and one woman raising children in the nurture of the Lord, that Christian will be labeled
[00:01:38] a bigot and be accused of intolerance.
[00:01:42] By supporting what is godly and good, a Christian will be demonized as a hater.
[00:01:48] When Paul responds to criticism and opposition he does not give in to anger or self-justification.
[00:01:54] His response is focused entirely on defending the gospel itself.
[00:01:59] He reminds the Thessalonians of his love for them.
[00:02:02] He wants them to know that the gospel he preached to them was delivered in love,
[00:02:07] not out of selfish motive.
[00:02:09] If Paul's motives had been tainted, the gospel he preached might have been tainted as well.
[00:02:15] Paul wanted the Thessalonians to know that the gospel they received from him was pure
[00:02:20] and trustworthy.
[00:02:22] When you are criticized for your faith in God's Word, for your trust in Jesus Christ,
[00:02:27] for your belief in the gospel, look to Jesus.
[00:02:31] Remember his love and compassion and also his unwavering commitment to the will of
[00:02:37] the Father.
[00:02:38] Let's pray together.
[00:02:40] God help us to trust in you when we are criticized and maligned for our faith.
[00:02:45] May we remember the grace that we have received and respond with compassion standing firm.
[00:02:51] May we trust in your perfect justice.
[00:02:54] We pray this in the name of Jesus.
[00:02:56] Amen.
[00:02:57] If today's devotional encouraged you, we would love to hear about it.
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[00:03:06] My devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Yusef.
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