“And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads’” (Acts 26:14).
How many times have you read this verse and thought: what in the world is a goad? Well, a goad is a sharp spiked stick typically used to prod animals along. So kicking a goad, especially in sandals, is probably rather painful.
Some biblical commentators speculate that Paul’s conscience had been convicted by the testimony of Stephen. While he was being stoned, Stephen claimed to see Jesus, and in his final moments screamed, “Lord, forgive them!” And since Paul was the one leading the stoning of Stephen, I have to believe this had a profound impact on him.
But Paul still kept kicking against the goads — kicking against Jesus — and it was time to stop!
How about you? Are you kicking against the goads? Are you fighting Jesus? Maybe you’re not even a Christian yet? Perhaps you’ve seen the lives of your friends and loved ones transformed by Jesus Christ, and you just hate it because you think Jesus is a crutch for weak people. If so, you’re kicking against the goads. And it hurts. Like Paul, you need to stop hating and start loving Jesus Christ. You need to become a Christian right now!
Maybe you’re already a Christian but you’re just not listening to Jesus? Perhaps you won’t give up a particular sin, or you refuse to live the way you know you should? Maybe you’re constantly making excuses such as “everyone else is doing it” or “I’m covered by grace.” Are you kicking against the goads of disobedience?
Whatever your scenario, if you’re resisting Jesus, it only hurts YOU! If you refuse to believe in Him, that will ultimately land you in hell. If you refuse to obey Him, that will only bring strife and misery.
Stop kicking. Start embracing!
Steele
Posted in A Word from the Pastor