Instant Gratification

Acts 9:22-23    
    Technology is a wonderful thing, but we can not be so naive to think that it doesn’t come at a cost. The attention span of an American is at an all time low. This has created what many have called an instant gratification culture. Modern society at large has forgotten resolve, hard work, and effort. People are more and more inclined to go for the “quick fix” rather than the “tried and true.” Bible master and instant gratification go together as well as oil and water. Paul could be called the perfect example of this. In Philippians 3:4-6 we can read that Paul was certainly a jew, circumcised on the either day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, as to the Law, a Pharisee, with zeal and according to the Law, blameless. There was much pride in all of those things for a jew. Benjamin, one of two tribes, the other being Judah, that didn’t completely apostatize. Someone with so much knowledge in the Law of Moses he could be classified as Pharisee. In Acts 22:3, Paul tells us that he was educated at the feet of Gamaliel. Gamaliel was so well respected, in Acts 5:29-42, rather than kill Peter and the apostles they released them after they flogged them. Why? Because, they respected Gamaliel so much. So certainly someone with this type of pedigree would be able to immediately understand everything and be able to make those he taught understand as well, right? No. In Acts 9:19-23, after Paul’s (Saul’s) conversion, he continued to go and teach. We know from Gal. 1:18, that he stayed there for three years, laboring, teaching, and helping the Jews to understand God’s will. Yes, Paul received the word directly from the Lord (Gal. 1:11-12), but it still took laboring and working to teach others. The bible is not something that can instantly be understood. It takes years of laboring, studying, teaching, and devotion to be able to master God’s word. I urge you family, continue to labor in God’s word, for this laboring will never be in vain. I love you all!

In His service,
Steven Hugley