Here are two more names for you. These are harder to pronounce but fresher in the American news cycle: Abimbola “Abel” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo. These two Nigerian body-builders would not go to jail for an actor. As things turned out it would require more than $3,500 to buy their loyalty. What happened when their loyalty ran dry? Read on.
At 5 a.m. on February 21st, 2019 an actor arrived at the Chicago Police Department’s Central Booking Station. Do you know who this was? It was not R. Kelly, that was a day later for far more serious charges, and maybe at a different booking station, but Jussie Smollet. While Mr. Smollet is presumed innocent under U.S. law swirling around him are credible claims that he staged a homophobic, racist attack on himself. No imagination is needed to ascertain the humiliation attended upon his character as he left the jail, bond posted. The limelight unraveled into
Directing with well-placed loyalties
Contrast that to the letter of Paul.
1 I
therefore , a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, (Ephesians 4:1–ESV)
He does not shy away from his incarceration but announces it for the second time in as many chapters. See, Paul counts his Lord and his calling as a thing worthy of suffering.
“I have walked worthy all the way to prison. Bad things have happened to me because of my good decisions…AND…I recommend this path. I am here because of the call and doctrine of Christ. I am all in with this.”
Look at the next two passages.
19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:19-21–ESV)
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12–ESV)
See how all this fits with another of Paul’s themes? “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” That is from Romans 1. So trouble may accrue to those who take the life of Christ seriously enough to live that way. But
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