Message from Phil Adams, Superintendent

Acts 26:24-26
English Standard Version
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.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.

As with Paul in the first century, so it is with us. Christians are often accused of being nuts. Paul knew and spoke the truth. He was not intimidated by power or insults. Just the opposite – he spoke truth to power. The truth of God’s Word is not limited to the facts contained in it but extends to the effects it should have on all of us. The fruit of the Spirit is as factual as the theology we see. Sometimes scripture is attacked for its mere existence, more often it is attacked for what it demands of us in our everyday lives interacting with our fellow man.
I also find Paul’s last statement interesting. We can’t live out our Christian faith as if no one is watching. People are watching. Students, parents, colleagues, and family. We do not live in corners even if we wanted to.