A Real Example of a Walk of Love

On the Road With Paul

The question of how to walk in love often arises, especially in these troubled times. There are fears of offending people, of being "canceled", of unjustly accused of being "hateful". How can the Bible have anything to say about our modern challenges? The apostle Paul's life and conduct provides an excellent example of a spiritual walk of love which is relevant to our experiences today. He writes by revelation from God:

Philippians 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

"…practice these things…" that the Apostle Paul did? How can this be possible? If this seems impossible, completely out of reach, please read Ephesians 5:1. God sees you much bigger, better, and more capable than you might think! This essay centers on Paul's short time in Athens, and his resolve to share the Gospel, no matter what. How does he handle the injustice from the world, threats on his physical life? How does he fulfill his calling among Godless people who are religious but are ignorant of the scriptures?

Leading up to the record in Acts 17:16, Paul and his companions were preaching and ministering in Philippi. They had been arrested, severely beaten, and thrown in jail for healing a woman who was demonically possessed. While in jail, the jailer and his entire family turned to the Lord (that is another story)! Then Paul and his companions were told to leave the city. No one ever said that a powerful walk of love would be easy or appreciated!

Undeterred, they traveled to Thessalonica, and started preaching and ministering as was their custom. The Gospel message was so popular that the religious people there became full of envy and jealousy. They caused a riot, lodging false legal accusations against Paul and his companions. For his safety, the local brothers had him leave town at night, and travel to Berea. Trouble broke out in Berea as well, so his brothers in Christ took Paul to Athens. Paul sent word to his companions to join him there. We pick up the narrative in Acts 17:16

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.

He was spiritually provoked by the idolatry he saw. How did he respond to this provoking – what did he do? Did he cower in fear because the city was full of demonic idol worship? No! As his manner was,  he took a stand for God against the rulers of the darkness of this world.

17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.

Paul continued to walk in love by the spirit, holding forth the same gospel as before with the religious people and others in the marketplace – whoever happened to be there. He was not fearful or silent.

18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

The Epicureans and Stoics were the two main schools of philosophy in Athens. He conversed with members of both groups. Some were very disrespectful and mocked him. A “babbler” in the Greek is literally a “seed-picker”. This is someone who is likened to a little bird pecking for seed, attempting to pick up any scrap of knowledge it can. There is no real depth of understanding or intelligence in such a person.

A “preacher of foreign divinities” or “foreign gods” is a legal accusation. Years before, the philosopher Socrates was accused with a similar charge, among other things. Socrates was found guilty and was executed. They accused Paul of a Capital Crime.

19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?

20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.”

This word “took” means that they arrested him. They brought him to “the advisory council of Athens known as the Areopagus, which dealt with ethical, cultural, and religious matters, including the supervision of education and controlling the many visiting lecturers. Thus it could be translated 'the council of the Areopagus.'” (this quote is from the Net Bible of Bible.org). His accusers presented their charges before the council. Again, Paul's life was in jeopardy by a spiritually corrupt, weaponized, religious, political, and legal system.  When judged, Paul would have an opportunity to defend himself. He was familiar with the Greek culture, and he used this knowledge to the fullest extent.

21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

I doesn't sound fair, does it. Everyone else is talking about new things and Paul is the one who gets arrested and charged. Not much has changed in this regard!

22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.

The Amplified Bible renders the second half of the verse as follows: “...I perceive in every way [on every hand and with every turn I make] that you are most religious or reverent to devils.” Again, what has changed since then? The same thing could be said of our modern culture.

23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

Here he refuted the charge of preaching foreign gods and could have concluded his defense. However, Paul was not aiming for simply being found “not guilty". He had a much greater goal in mind – that of proclaiming the good news of the gospel. They did ask to know what it meant! So he continues speaking the truth of God's Word as God wanted it spoken. Pay attention to the simplicity of his message, to those who had no acquaintance with the scriptures.

24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,

I can't imagine how shocking these new ideas were to the audience. First he is declaring the "unknown god", then he follows up with this truth about temples made by man! It would have riveted their attention. This is the Truth that continues to be ignored by most religions and the religious today.

25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

God is the origin of Life itself! God is NOT served or worshiped by the works of our hands, our flesh. All religious ritual is a meaningless waste of effort, with no Godly spiritual significance.

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,

Paul handles the origin of man, dismantling any basis for racism. Then he unveils to the audience the one duty, the one job of mankind (who are unsaved):

27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

28 for “In him we live and move and have our being"; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring."

God is everywhere present, and humanity is made in His image! It is the one duty of unsaved humanity to seek God and TO FIND HIM!

29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.

He boldly reproves their practice of idolatry. God is not likened to anything else in creation, or any image that we could imagine.

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Up until this time, the Gentiles could do what they wanted, but now, things have changed!

31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

There! In one concluding sentence He proclaimed Christ, the resurrection, repentance, and the judgments to come!

His critics and accusers thought they could force Paul to fight for his physical life, to silence his voice. Instead he fought valiantly for the eternal life of his audience - the accusers and the council. (Paul had observed the stellar example of Stephen, in Jerusalem, who did essentially the same thing). This was a spiritual battle for sure! Walking in LOVE, Paul spoke words which were spiritual life. Thus he pulled down the strongholds of idolatry which exist in the minds of the audience.

Let's reflect on what he was fighting. In Isaiah 44, God vividly portrays the spiritual consequences of idolatry in the minds, hearts, and lives of those who practice it.

20 He feeds on ashes (there is no strengthening nourishment, only starvation, weakness and death); a deluded (deceived) heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself (due to demonic bondage) or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

Is it clear? Everyone who has been enslaved in idolatry (and who hasn't) CANNOT DELIVER HIMSELF, or even recognize the deception, the lie in his right hand. All of us who have been delivered from such bondage should be very, very grateful for our deliverance!

Idolatry is a work of the flesh which leads quickly into spiritual bondage. Paul was fighting against all the entrenched demonic powers behind the idolatry in Athens; God worked in him mightily to rescue these who would believe from the jaws of the roaring lion, the devil.

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”

33 So Paul went out from their midst.

34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

There were three types of responses - mocking, deference, and belief. Some accepted the deliverance held forth by Paul's preaching and were rescued. Note that we do not read about whole families being saved, or an entire town assembling to hear the Word of God held forth. Few people in this internationally renowned capitol of intellectualism believed. Even for those few, God sent His best man for the job.

Philippians 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Paul provided a Godly example by the conduct of his life. He encourages us to imitate him together. He was not the only man walking and serving this way – there are others.

Paul fulfilled the command to walk in love, to love one another. Such a walk begins with our love and commitment to our heavenly Father. That love is our primary motivation to love others, regardless of the response. The expression of our love begins with sharing the Gospel in a perishing world. As we practice Paul's example, by way of the gift of holy spirit, we too fulfill this command.

Philippians 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (ESV)

2023 Keith Radcliffe