Full Circle

A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.
Acts 8:1-5 NLT

Jesus' last words to His followers instructed them to go be His witnesses... but none of them had yet left Jerusalem. Philip was among the first of the scattered believers who were driven out by fear of Saul (later Paul) who was zealous in his persecution, following the stoning of Stephen. We mentioned Philip yesterday regarding his ministry to the Samaritans. Philip's travels and adventures eventually led him back to Caesarea. 

Meanwhile, Saul had met Jesus on the Damascus Road and his world was turned upside down. This is the same man who looked on in approval as he held the cloaks for those who stoned Stephen, Philip's friend. Only an encounter with Christ could take mayhem and murder from a man's heart and change it so completely that 13 chapters later (20+ years), this same Paul stayed at Philip's home as a welcome guest. A trusted brother in the Lord. They had come Full Circle. 

Could we do the same? Forgive and love someone who had helped to murder our friend and persecuted countless others? Could we make that circle? Never without Christ, that's for sure...

Prayer:

Father,

          We know we must walk in forgiveness in order to be forgiven. Help us to know and understand that You love ALL of us, but will only forgive those who call upon Your Name and are willing to forgive others. Help us to come full circle, Father. We want to be right with You and with each other. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen