“I would wish to God”

[Acts 26:24-32]

Did you look in the mirror before coming to church for Sunday morning worship today?  Due to customer complaints about the slow speed of elevators, a department store in Germany was considering replacing them with the latest models.  However, budget constraints posed a significant challenge.  Upon hearing the news, a female janitor suggested that installing a large and nice mirror inside the elevator would eliminate the complaints.  The department store promptly installed a large mirror in the elevator, and surprisingly, the customer complaints disappeared.  People, being interested in their appearance, forgot about the fact that the elevator was slow while looking at themselves in the mirror (Internet).  What are you interested in?  I don't think it's bad to have various interests and try different things.  However, it feels like time is passing quickly, and in this swiftly flowing time, we believe that we should focus on one thing, strive for it, and put effort into achieving it.  I am reminded of the Korean singer Yong-pil Cho's song ‘One Piece of Single-minded Dandelion.’  Do you know why the term 'single-minded' is attached to the dandelion?  The reason is the root rather than the color.  It is because the root goes straight down.  The horizontally spreading fine roots may be weak and meaningless, but the central root is thick and straight.  Therefore, it is called a 'single-minded dandelion' because it does not sway in other matters and is dedicated to one thing (Internet).  Growing like a weed, blooming like a flower, the dandelion is dedicated to one thing, guarding its single-minded integrity.  Isn't it a much better example than us humans, who easily change according to our own interests? (Internet).  At least, a single-minded dandelion, dedicated to its integrity, steadfast in one thing without being swayed by others, seems to be a better example.  Yet somehow, it seems that we, as humans, easily change according to our own interests.  We need to dig one well.  We need to have one wish.  As Psalmist David says in Psalms 27:4, "One thing I ask from the Lord," what is the one thing that you and I should ask God for?"

In today's passage from Acts 26:24-32, particularly in verse 29, Paul expresses to those who heard his defense (v. 24) that he has a desire before God.  What he desired from God was that everyone who heard his words today, including Agrippa, would become like him, a "Christian," except for being in chains.  Look at verse 29: "And Paul said, 'Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.'"  Paul earnestly desired that both Governor Festus, his sister Bernice, and King Agrippa, along with the high officials, would receive Jesus as their Savior and become born-again Christians.  The reason he expressed this heartfelt desire for everyone to become believers is likely because Governor Festus and King Agrippa did not respond with faith to Paul's gospel.  For example, observe Governor Festus's reaction: "And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind'" (v. 24).  Governor Festus's reaction was to shout that Paul was insane, considering Paul's defense of the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (faith) as crazy (Park).  Festus, based on the rational thinking of Romans and Greeks, likely dismissed Paul's discussion of the resurrection of Christ as nonsensical when he spoke about it.  It's evident that Jews would have considered the story unbelievable—the idea that Jesus, executed on the cross, had come back to life and appeared to Paul in a vision on the Damascus road.  At that moment, Paul replied to Governor Festus, saying, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words" (v. 25).  To Governor Festus, who treated him as if he were insane, Paul responded that he was not crazy but was speaking "true and rational words," meaning words of truth and soundness.  Therefore, Paul urged Governor Festus not to reject his defense but to accept it with thoughtful consideration (Yoo).  After that, Paul turns his gaze to King Agrippa, boldly stating that the king is well-acquainted with the events surrounding Jesus Christ.  He acknowledges that Agrippa knows about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ as fulfilled prophecies, dating back to the time of King Herod, Agrippa's grandfather.  This is because the events concerning Jesus Christ, from the crucifixion to the resurrection, had been a prominent and widely discussed topic even before Agrippa was born (Park).  Therefore, Paul says to King Agrippa, "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe" (verse 27). In this instance, King Agrippa's response is, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" (v. 28)  Like Governor Festus, King Agrippa also reacted coldly to Paul's gospel testimony.  Neither of them responded with faith, viewing becoming Christians as something to be regarded with indifference (Park).

People in this current era, just like in the early days of the church, often regard becoming Christians with indifference.  Even in the early church, unbelievers mockingly labeled the saints in the Antioch church as "Christians" (11:26).  In our present time, however, the term "Christian" has become more of a scorned label than an esteemed one.  As an example, the once honorable name of "Christian," which was a glorious identifier, has now become associated with mockery, often referred to disdainfully as "Protestant."  This shift in perception is highlighted in the modern Christian image evaluation report titled "UnChristian."  The book evaluates the reasons behind Christians not being recognized positively and contributing to a negative image of Christianity in society.  It presents a contentious research report titled "Image of Christians in the Eyes of Non-Christian Americans."  In the early days of the church, the term "Christian" was created by non-Christians observing the lives of saints who believed in Jesus, and it was a term that elevated Christians to a supreme level.  However, the meaning of this supreme term has now diminished, and in this book, the author argues that a stumbling block lies in the way modern Christians live, unable to embody the title of "Christian" as the early church saints did.  The individuals who have created this stumbling block are described as lukewarm pessimists rather than faithful and genuine Christians.  They are criticized for being hypocritical, indifferent, overly focused on evangelism as a goal, excessively disdainful of homosexuality, politically inclined, and judgmental, neglecting self-examination while navigating through the church.  Even genuine Christians are finding it challenging to receive the title of "Christian" due to the influence of these individuals. ‘Natural people perceive Christians as inconsistent in their words and actions, pretending to be morally superior.  They also feel that Christians overly focus on converting people rather than treating them as individuals. ...  (Furthermore, free individuals believe) Christians easily judge others and are not honest about their attitudes and perspectives toward non-Christians’ (Internet).  While the church's external growth and increased number of believers have granted external influence, the decline in the internal impact suggests a failure in the Christians' attitudes and image, which now portray them more as hypocrites, judges, and quarrelsome individuals than trustworthy, likable, and inspiring figures.

We must restore the honorable title of "Christian."  In this regard, just like Paul, we should earnestly desire that everyone becomes a Christian.  Why should we earnestly desire that everyone becomes a Christian? Paul articulates the reason as follows: "God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4).  The reason we should fervently pray for everyone to become Christians, just as Paul did, is because it aligns with God's desire.  In other words, what God desires is for everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.  His desire should become our desire.  Everyone should become a Christian through us, hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ, accepting Jesus as their Savior, and becoming followers of Christ.  Thus, everyone, like us, should live in this world with the hope of salvation, the blessings of eternal life, and the anticipation of an everlasting kingdom.  With the hope of resurrection, we should boldly face and overcome the fear of death, living by faith.  Furthermore, receiving God's protection, guidance, and grace, we should navigate through life, relying on His help when needed.

Praying to understand and obey what God desires for me,

James Kim

(Concern for the salvation of souls!)