In reading this Scripture, I am reminded of Epicurus, one of the philosophers who intrigues me most. Epicurus was a philosopher who founded Epicureanism— a highly influential school of philosophy in Athens.

For Epicurus, the purpose of philosophy was to help people attain a happy tranquil lifethat was characterized by ataraxic (peace and freedom from fear) and aponia (the absence of pain). However, a large component to Epicureanism was the recognition that gods did exist but that they had no involvement nor desire to intervene in human affairs.

While the idea of a life lacking pain and sorrow and fear is appealing in resume, the notion of gods who are uncaring and un-compassionate is frightening.

Similar to teachings under new age philosophy, there are some good points and truths, but there is one underlying missing component. True and absolute liberation can only be found and achieved through Jesus.

Idealism without the blood of Christ will get you butchered results that will never bring you into absolute freedom. There is only one name under heaven in which man can be absolutely set free… Jesus.

Paul uses this Scripture to reveal that in a simple yet deeply profound way.

At the time, Paul had just arrived in Athens and found himself very disturbed in spirit as he witnessed the entire city devoting themselves to idols.

Yet instead of judgement, Paul was moved to compassionate understanding of the hearts of the people in Athens.Paul saw their commitment to the handmade idols they worshipped and knew the level of bondage all these people were in— it was something he was altogether familiar with.

But despite being familiar with their slavery, he was not bound to it.In the same, Paul was, at one point, committed to lifeless idols of the law, convinced of his own righteousness in his commitments. He knew what it felt like to be blind and in bondage, but he also knew what it felt like to be set fully free through the power of Jesus.

Paul used what he knew: what he had lived and what he had learned to share the truth of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus in Greece.

The culture in Athens was immersed in poets, philosophers, meditators, and searchers of deep truths— all united with the same goal: to unlock the deeper things within.

Paul knew that if he presented the deepest revelations of the Gospel to the Grecians, that it would challenge their logic and their minds and quicken something within their spirits.

His goal was to create a spark within them that would awaken something that no other trained school of philosophy was able to touch: the God spot. So Paul laid down a truth, encapsulated with life, to saturate them with bondage-breaking fire power by the freeing blood of Jesus.

He did this by going to their shrines and alters built for other gods and reading to them the same philosophy that they had based their lives and careers on.

Paul… in all his wisdom and in the flow of his anointing says this,

 

“For in him we live and move and have our being, as when some of your own poets have said, for we are also his offspring.”

Acts 17:28

 

Paul used this verse as a direct quote from a popular poem written around 600-700 BC by Epimendes. It was a quote that was used specifically in worship unto the Greek god Zeus.

Yet God, in the vastness of His brilliance, used the pagan things of this world to show them that true liberation and freedom come from Him and Him alone.

Paul took a poem that was originally written for pagan worship and used it for Gods glory in order to open blinded eyes and heal hurting souls.

After years of searching… after a lifetime of broken theology that told them that godswere either unconcerned or ill-intentioned, Paul introduced the truth that life could be lived with both ataraxic and aponia qualities and with the endless love of an involved Savior and eternity with Him therein.

This encourages my spirit.Scripture upon Scripture tells us that what was meant for our destructions: words or plans or even false theology— that it will always be turned for our good.

Paul was a living, breathing example that proved that God would stop at nothing to bring us to the truth and the light, but also that He would meet us there with love and encouragement.Paul was compassionate to those he disagreed with.He was kind to those he was bringing truth to.He was not condescending or haughty… he was love.

Love brings truth to the table, but love always considers those of which it is bringing it to.

Today, I encourage you to be like Paul.Love one another but share truth with those who lack it.Speak to people in their own language, using their own lives to relate them back to Christ.

But today I also encourage you to know that you have a God who seeks after you.He is not like the gods of the Epicurus who are indifferent.He is not like the gods of Greece who were angry and spiteful.He is a God of love.He is a God who pays attention to the books you read like He did for the Grecians.He’s a God that seeks you out even when you’re not seeking Him out like the people of Athens.

Know that you are loved.Indisputably, irreparably, unmistakably… you are loved by your Creator.

He will stop at nothing to see you and know you and love you.Do the same for Him today.