Timeless Truths. Baccalaureate Address #3. Does God Give Make-up Tests? Conclusion
This is the part two of the third in a series of blog posts that were originally Baccalaureate Addresses for the Monte Vista High School Classes of 1981 & 1984, probably 1985 & 1988, and 1 year with no reference date, probably in the 1980s, too.
Originally, each Address was part of a Baccalaureate ceremony. Not once in the five times that I was asked to speak was I given any limitations. Because of that, I preached five sermons with a salvation message in each. I'm grateful to God and the MV Administrations for those opportunities.
For these blog posts, the Addresses are presented over two weeks. They didn't take that long at the time of delivery. Now, part of the second week will be a reflection and comments on what I might change if I was giving the address in 2017.
Each Address included a “magic trick.” I am not a magician. My magic tricks required minimal digital dexterity—digital meaning fingers not computer savvy. I thought about videoing myself doing them, but I gave away the prop box, and now it’s missing. When possible, I’ve included a link to a YouTube video of the trick.
Each of the colors used for the bottles in this post represents the color of solution used in the magic trick in 1981.If you are an MV grad in the year of one of these Baccalaureate Addresses, I hope it brings back a fond memory.
If you are not an MV grad in the year of one of these Baccalaureate Addresses, I hope it becomes a fond memory for you.
Read on, MacDuff!!
At this [the members of the Sanhedrin] covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged [Steven] out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
When he had said this, he fell asleep.
And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Acts 7:57-60, 8:1-3
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
Acts 9:1-21
Possibly the most notable of all of God's allowed make-up is the life of Saul of Tarsus, known better as Saint Paul. More zealous than any other Jew at persecuting the Christians, this self-described “Pharisee of the Pharisees,” left a path of ruined lives and death throughout the land of Judah.
Perhaps the lowlight of Saul's reign of terror was when he held the cloaks of those who stoned the innocent, forgiving Stephen.
If most of us were God, Saul would never have been on the road to Damascus. However, God had a make-up test prepared for Saul. On that road, Saul was blinded by God's brilliance. After humbling himself and accepting help from one of those he’d sworn to capture or kill, God restored his sight.
Within a short period of time, this zealot Christian persecutor was traveling to churches throughout the Middle East as the first Christian missionary to the Gentiles. Saul changed his name to reflect his change of heart, and Paul ended up suffering more for Jesus and Christianity than nearly any other of the early church members. In spite being afflicted with what he described as "a thorn in the flesh"--many think malaria or macular degeneration--He also wrote most of the doctrinal letters in the New Testament.
Paul died a martyr’s death in Rome. Through all the hardships, Paul remained true to his faith. He passed his make-up test with flying colors.
What determines if God gives make-up to an individual?
A short answer:
Only God knows.
A convoluted answer:
Humanity was given a make-up test early on.
After sin entered the world through Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the descendants of Adam were given chance after chance to turn away from sin and follow God.
Old Testament Jews relied on the Law and sacrifices—the Old Covenant. God knew that would not be adequate.
[DO THE FIRST HALF OF THE MAGIC TRICK]
I have no idea what the trick was.
New Testament Christians live under the New Covenant.
That’s great news!
No animal sacrifices are needed. Jesus shed blood when He died on the cross “cleanses from all unrighteousness.” That’s the only way Christ’s command, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48) is attainable.
While cleansing and perfection of your heart are available, neither is inevitable. Each individual must ask God for those miracles and allow God to do His mighty works of salvation from sin and perfection of heart in their lives.
[FINISH THE MAGIC TRICK]
If I’d used it, I wouldn’t have dressed in a baggie tuxedo!
Does God give make-up tests?
You bet!
The only way to pass His make-up test is to accept the free gifts of salvation and heart purity from God.
All you have to do is reach out to God.
He is there . . .
. . . waiting . . .
. . . waiting to make sure you pass that test,
and receive His gift of eternal life!
Next week: Road Ways. 1st Sunday of Advent
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So thankful for my make-up test!
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