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(Perspective) Biblical: "Annie Are You Okay"

Ananias was a name I had considered for a son and jokingly giving him the nick name "Annie," in comparison to the Jonny Cash song, "A Boy Named Sue." The idea was to make light of it, give him thick skin, and essentially laugh it off. 

At that time I was only aware of one Ananias in the book of Acts. The story of Saul on the Road to Demascus (Acts 9:10-17) where he experienced his conversion to Paul. After studying more of Acts I was surprised to discover the first one and his wife Sapphira (Acts 5:1-5). Opted for another name.

The repetition of names is intriguing.  Two men with the same exact name yet extremely varying character traits. Ananias 1 lied witholding money from the growing church despite being welcomed and part of the church family. The second Ananias was instructed by the Lord to aide Saul despite his fear of Saul's reputation of persecuting the church. Ananias 2 baptized Saul and led him into a new walk with Christ. Saul's name was changed to Paul. We are inspired by many letters written by St. Paul, but often forget Ananias and his obediance to the Lord.

What is the relevance in using two varying characters with the same exact name? Could it corelate with our nature? Thus the question, "Annie are you okay?"  Are   Y O U  okay? One moment you're helping the church, next you're hindering it. The finger is pointing at me as well. I recently had a small blow up at someone who did not deserve it when moments earlier I was helping them. A split second of selfishness completely undid all the charitable work I had invested in this person's spirit with the childish words, "this is mine." The surrounding circumstances are not relevant at this point. The damage was done.

Saying it's our sinful Adam nature sounds like a cop-out. It's an "easy" excuse, but there truly is no other way to describe it. Paul expresses his personal frustrations with his limitations in Romans 7:12-24.  

"15 For I do not understand my own actions. For (C)I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with (D)the law, that it is good."

What a wretched man he goes on to cry.  Why do we do the things we will not to do? 

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth preoceed blessing and cursing. My brethern, these things ought not to be so.

St. Paul who calls us all saints was helped along the way in his walk with Christ by an Ananias who trusted God. The first one hindered the church by inentionally withholding and lying. Where do you fall within these two extremes?  We are to avoid a divisive person in Romans 16: 17-18. 

So I must ask, "Annie are you ok?" Or have you in fact been struck by a smooth criminal?


William Cuccio™ aka WCSmack™
https://www.curioos.com/product/acrylic/michael-jackson--smooth-criminal--pop-art

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