In his message to the Athenian elders concerning the true and living God, Paul shows us the characteristics of spiritual leadership in his application of responsibility and accountability for what is not just a teaching on God but a strategic plan in the invisible war between Almighty God and the prince of darkness, Satan, who had a notable and strong influence in that part of the world for some time. Paul's leadership concerning the things of God was used to break the enemy's grip on the hearts of not just the Greeks, but upon all who heard and responded to the Gospel. Paul realized that the preaching of the Word to these learned men of Athens was a task that only he could do at that time. He took it upon himself to see that the mission of redemption would be carried out and then to see that plan spread by those who took it to heart as the truth.
The Athenians were brilliant in so many areas, yet poor in what really counted, which was to be freed from the grip and curse of sin and immorality. The deities with their temples and altars, and to whom sacrifices had been given, produced nothing in terms of a satisfactory and intimate relationship. These false gods had done the same exact depraved things humanity had done and were responsible in the myths written about them of performing horrid acts of vengeance and violence towards mortals as well as their own offspring. Examples included Kronos eating his own children, Hera's rage against Hercules, or Zeus' infidelities and apathy towards his children, both immortal and mortal, and other atrocious behaviors. The numerous gods and goddesses of the Greeks solved no problems, comforted no hearts, dried no tears, answered no questions, and provided no peace of the soul. This is the pattern of all false religions and teachings worldwide that people tend to emulate, follow, and even die by in the hopes that they had somehow done enough "good deeds" to justify earning a place in Paradise, Nirvana, Elysium, or other locations of the afterlife, only to end up in a horrid place of eternal torment for refusing to bow before the real and living Lord God Almighty who is the Author of salvation.
Anyone who embraces anything but the free offer of true peace and salvation from God through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:6-11) are lost prisoners of war in danger for their lives from the devil and his minions (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Paul, the other apostles, and those of us who carry on the task of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ are HIs soldiers equipped for battle (Ephesians 6:10-20). We have the available weapons needed to fight the unseen enemy and be used by the Great Commander to win the war and bring the wounded, dying, hungry, and hurt back to the victor's camp where they are given care, comfort, and the truth about their real enemy. As a leader of the early church, Paul knew that the enemy's strongholds were well entrenched in the temples and minds of Athens, but he also knew that King Jesus had already won the battle (1 Corinthians 2:7-9). Years later while a prisoner on Patmos, the aged apostle John would witness the vision of Christ's victory over the forces of the Beast at the end of recorded history (Revelation 19:11-21). Rest assured that victory is certain as these wicked days draw to a conclusion.
Paul's "battle strategy" exposed these dear people to the fact that in attempting to appease their deities, they were still spiritually blind. They heard that the God of whom Paul preached was not only real, but all powerful, all wise, and be in complete control of all things. Their gods could only do a few things and often not all that well. Their gods were unreliable, hateful, and showed favoritism, along with other questionable deeds that ended up benefitting them and no one else. God has a personal relationship with His creation and with us, no matter our race, background, or nationality. His sovereign placement of the times, seasons, and natural laws into operation showed the Greeks that He gave close and careful attention to nature and the universe. This also showed that He was approachable and intimately involved with everything both seen and unseen. This needs to be reintroduced into the sermons and teachings of Biblical-based pastors, elders, and instructors. While we serve a mighty, powerful, and majestic Almighty LORD worthy of all our worship, He is also the same God who hears our prayers and interests, acts according to His Sovereign will and glory, yet attends the funeral of every sparrow who falls to the earth. He wipes away the tears of nature as well as ours and will do so one last time in the new heaven and the new earth. Our memories of sins, sorrow, heartache, and every form of evil will be forever banished from our minds. This is the promise of the Lord Jesus, who declared that He makes all things new (Revelation 21:5).
The message of the benevolence, mercy, concern, and personal intervention of God as Paul described Him was a welcome breath of fresh air to many of the Athenians and provided the true bread and drink their hungry souls desperately needed (John 6:35, 51). Man-centered philosophy, rituals, self-righteous deeds, devotion to a guru, shaman, or celebrity's hollow whims can never bring solace or peace to troubled hearts, The capricious silent gods whose images crammed the streets of Athens could not give anyone what the true and living God offered when it came to peace of heart and soul. God graciously gives this gift to our generation just as He has for everyone who has graced the stage of history. He alone gives eternal life, purpose, and meaning to everyone without exception and freely offers salvation to anyone who asks Him (Romans 10:9-10). The Lord Jesus Christ made our salvation and redemption certain by His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins and His resurrection from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Accept this free offer of mercy and grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). That's it. He presents the opportunity to have your sins forgiven once and for all and to enjoy eternity with Him in HIs house (John 14:1-3). No other so-called "god" can offer that promise or produce that truth. The God of the Universe loves you so much that He came to this earth as one of us, lived among us, and died for us so that we might live eternally free from sin and suffering (John 3:15-16). Who else could do that? Only the true and mighty LORD God Almighty that Paul boldly preached about that day in Athens. While some did doubt (Acts 17:32), others gladly heard, and the Gospel took hold in their lives. It still works today. God's warriors can testify to that.
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