How Christians Grieve WellНамуна

Reforming Religious Parts

It is impossible to encounter the living God and emerge unchanged. Just ask Paul: the man who used to chase Jesus’ followers with a vengeance (Acts 8:3) ended up promoting their cause with as much passion. Now Paul preached for Jesus, with signs, wonders, and miracles following (2 Corinthians 12:12), despite the intense persecution he faced (2 Corinthians 11:25).

But please notice how Paul explained his past: “I thought to myself that I had to act in strong opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9 NASB).

I submit Paul thought these words while blended with his religious part.

For one thing, most of the Pharisees rejected Jesus. As a card-carrying member of the exclusive club, Paul would have had a zealous religious part that resonated with their stance.

But the way Paul worded his description also hinted at his religious part’s close presence. Since religious parts are a division of thinking parts, it makes sense for Paul to say “I thought to myself” if he was, indeed, blended with this part.

Paul’s persecution of Christians was a clear case of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-12; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6). But it also happened because his religious part provoked him to do so.

Meeting Jesus, however, convicted the part of its error.

What happened to Paul’s part is not a fluke. Hearing from God has the potential of changing not just us, but also our parts. If this possibility intrigues you, ask the Lord the following:

How do you feel about me? How about my religious part?

What is your message to me or my part?

What is your calling for me? How about for my religious part?

Once you present your inquiries, ask your parts—including the religious one—to wait for his answer instead of filling the silence with your own thoughts. John 10:27 assures us that as Jesus’ followers, we have the God-given ability to hear his voice. Matthew 7:7-8 promises—twice—that if you ask, you will receive.

Jot down the answers you sense. Ask your religious part what it thinks about the Lord’s remarks. You can also ask your part if it is interested in partnering with you to accomplish the Lord’s dream for you and it both.

May we and our religious parts accomplish all the Lord has for us.