Paula

It’s ironic really, but there are many proud men who boast of their “Damascus Road experience” as if it qualifies them to lead. But a genuine experience like that from God will not cater to pride and ego, but cause pain and conflict leading to a servant’s heart. Paul was brought low, not in a false humility that says “I’m your boss only because God has laid this heavy burden upon me” (which is supposed to garner sympathy), but in true abasement. In other words, Paul experienced what some have called “two by four counseling” (being hit with a 2×4).

In your interview, Paul has brought Doug to the point of pain and conflict, an approach not lightly endured today. The churches have been quite unwilling to confront sin but instead have accommodated it, thinking scripture forbids us from “dividing” or “quarreling”, as if that’s what confrontation of sin is. Doug’s reaction to this lesson is critical; will he humble himself and lay down perceived societal privilege as Paul and Jesus did, or will he cling jealously to the seat of power and go on thinking himself superior to half the human race?