Written by Mark Driskill:
Thursday February 10, 2011
Read Acts 8:1-3

Are you a fanatic or an Apostle? Are you known more for what you are opposed to than what you are for?  Take a look at Saul before he became Paul.  No one could have ever imagined that this enemy of the gospel would soon become one of its greatest defenders.  Saul was a fanatic for the traditions of his forefathers.  He would do whatever it took to shut down anyone who looked like an enemy of his faith.

You see that’s what fanatics do.  They spend all their time trying to protect God as if He could not look after himself.  They lie awake at night fearful that someone out there may not think exactly the way they do.  Saul was a fanatic. He even describes his fanaticism in Philippians 3:6 “as to zeal (I was) a persecutor of the church.” As a fanatic his main goal was to attack anyone who looked like an enemy of God.  Fanatics are often known more for the damage they do to others than for the good they do.  Thank God that HE had a plan to change this fanatic into an apostle.

In the next chapter and virtually all of the rest of Acts we see how this fanatic was transformed by the power of God into the apostle who spread the gospel over the Roman Empire. He eventually laid down his life under the cruel hand of Nero, another fanatic. In the story of Paul we see the difference between an apostle and a fanatic. Fanatics spend their lives protecting God. Apostles are protected by God. Fanatics are known for the people they hurt. Apostles are known for those they help. Fanatics live to control others. Apostles live to serve them. Fanatics want to attack your beliefs. Apostles want to demonstrate and declare their own. Fanatics are motivated by fear and hate. Apostles are motivated by faith and love.

Friends, in a world filled with fanatics in all religions it’s well past time for some apostles to show up. Which will you be today? Do people know you more for what you are against or what you are for? As you travel through life what are you leaving in your wake? Dead bodies or transformed lives? Let’s remember today that Jesus said, “they will know you are my disciples if you love one another.” Love is the I.D. badge of the true apostle of Christ. Wear your badge today.

Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky.  They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy.

Mark is web minister for Begotten by theWord , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources.

Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program. Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.

Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.