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If Annas and Caiaphas had followed Christ, it is quite likely that He would not have been crucified. Without question, there were thousands of wonderful people among the Jews who ignored Christ's invitation. Remember that before becoming a Christian, St. Paul was a wonderful, dedicated Jew. He was as firm in his beliefs as my pastor friend. Yet he suffered from this critical weakness: he was narrow-minded. If God had not intervened, he would have continued to persecute the Christians. (3:21) There are millions of wonderful Christians living today. Without their love and dedication, our planet would become a gloomy place. They are, indeed, the salt of the earth. Yet many of them suffer from this critical weakness: They simply assume that if Christ had come, they would have known it. That was the assumption Paul made. He was expecting a powerful King-- a Messiah who would subdue the forces of darkness just as Christians expect today. (3:22) That one seemingly innocent assumption that 'If Christ comes I will know' kills all curiosity and creates complacency, a weakness Jesus condemned most severely in the Book of Revelation. But none of those millions of wonderful, but slumbering people, thinks that those passages about complacency may refer to him. When he does, he awakens and begins to investigate. Once again we end where we started: It is extremely difficult to see the traces of pride, fear, or complacency in one's ego. A sure remedy is an absolute and unconditional humility. (3:23) If you are open-minded, you will attain the greatest good. For the mind is the first gate to wisdom, truth, and happiness. After the mind has done its work, the heart must prepare a place to welcome the truth with warmth and joy.
(3:24)
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