The Apostles Are Coming! The Apostles Are Coming! (Part 8)

Click on following links for: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7.

What would the Apostle Paul say about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?

As a five year old child, I had my eyes on a silver-plated toy gun in a local store.  I really wanted it.

When I showed it to Mom and Dad, they shook their heads. “Son, it costs a dollar and that’s just too expensive for us,” they told me.

But I really, really wanted it. So much so, that I stole a dollar from Dad’s wallet while he was readying himself for our weekly Saturday evening journey to town. I hid the dollar in my undershorts.

After eating with my family at a restaurant, I excused myself and headed to the local store. There I purchased the silver-plated toy gun.

Now as thieves go, I was not a clever one because I took my purchase directly to my parents and showed it to them. I thought that they’d be happy for me. But of course, they were not!

“Where’d you get the dollar?” asked Dad. His eyes searching my face for telltale signs.

“From you,” I said. Then I explained how I stole it out of his wallet.

Dad marched me over to the store. There I confessed to the store owner about my theft and I returned the silver-plated toy gun, thus receiving the dollar back. Dad scooped up his money and put it back into his wallet.

Dad never spanked me or yelled at me, but even today, it’s hard for me to write this story. I loved Dad and never ever wanted to cause him pain, but this incident had to be tough on him, knowing his son was a thief.

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. (Acts 20: 26-27)

Paul was a father to the churches in Asia. But like my dad, he was not a modern-day, wishy-washy, anything-goes type of father. He believed his flocks needed to hear the truth whether it enhanced his popularity or not. After all, he was a responsible father who loved his children.

So, what do I think Paul would say (if he could) about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?

“America, you ought to have listened to the Spirit of God after the 911 attack or after Hurricane Katrina or after Haiti, but you did not. You continued on the same course, and now, the BP oil spill has caused you more economic damage and loss. How much more must you suffer before you return to Me with a whole heart?”

The apostles are coming! Are you ready for them?

(This series will be resumed in the future.)