“VERY RELIGIOUS?”

 Acts 17:22-33                          (ESV)

Paul Addresses the Areopagus

“[22] So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are “VERY RELIGIOUS”. [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. [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, [25] nor is HE served by human hands, as though HE needed anything, since HE HIMSELF TO ALL MANKIND LIFE AND BREATH AND EVERYTHING. [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, [27] that THEY SHOULD SEEK GOD, and perhaps 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.’

    [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. [30] The times of ignorance GOD overlooked, but now HE commands all people everywhere to repent, [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.”

[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.”

The Apostle Paul was standing “in the midst of the Areopagus”, which may have been a council of elders for the city of Athens in Greece?  These elders were thought to be highly intelligent and knowledgeable in their abilities to know what was right, but the Apostle Paul was speaking to them about TRUTH, something to which their EYES were yet to be able to SEE!  They could not perceive the things of CHRIST because CHRIST had not been made known to them!

Even though they had CHRIST living in the Apostle Paul in their midst, they were unable to SEE HIM, even though Paul preached an eloquent and sincere message!  According to the Apostle Paul, the Areopagus was “VERY RELIGIOUS” but unable comprehend the MESSAGE being delivered to them?  

What others think about us, and what they think should not carry a tremendous value to us!  What JESUS declares about us is what we should be concerned with!!  Being seen by “this world” as “VERY RELIGIOUS” will not deliver any one from eternal damnation!  Only a personal relationship with JESUS can do that!!!