Acts 24 ~ Tertullus, the prosecutor, presents his case to Governor Felix. Tertullus' attitude is condescending, arrogant, and subservient to man. I wonder why he doesn't listen to the words he speaks and how they are delivered. Do you take time to really listen to what you are communicating? Is it sarcasm? Is it demeaning? Tertullus calls Paul 24:5 "a plague" profaning the temple. Really Tertullus? Paul isn't religious enough?
Paul's defense: I make these statements cheerfully...you can verify that I didn't dispute anyone. I think maybe Paul disrupted not disputed. Paul said that they couldn't prove the charges to Felix. BUT, as far as The Way, I believe what has been laid down by the Law and I have a hope in God. Don't the Pharisees have a hope in God.
Acts 24:16 "I always take pains to have a clear conscience before God and man." How do you do that Paul? The more I try to work on my sin, the more I end up doing penance for the finished work of Christ.
Felix was alarmed by Paul's testimony. So what would be a step of faith for Felix? For over two years, Felix summoned Paul frequently and secretly hoped that Paul would slip him some bribe money. 2,000 years later and we are still using people, still trying to figure out what's in it for me. LORD have mercy on us all. And where we are not on the right track of honoring you, grant us a clear conscience.
I think Felix was challenged by the Way. He didn't want to lay down the money and power to follow Christ, yet he was intrigued. I wonder how he ended up? Did he decide to follow the Christ after he was transferred?
ReplyDeleteI am letting go of some of my preconceived thoughts and hurts. I can't continue to follow Christ and wallow in pain. I had a long talk with my daughter, some of the things we thought we heard, may have not been what was said. Love goes on, life goes on, it is time to heal our hearts, live in love. Time for us to grab tightly to the hope, not to wrestle with our feelings, our questions, but to step out in faith, following Christ and walking toward Him in confidence.
Isn't it amazing that Paul's defense is his testimony. He defends himself by confessing, "But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust"
ReplyDeleteFelix's reaction, one of intrigue and slight fear, without conviction and confession, is still the same today for many. Felix wanted more for himself, yet didn't have a clue that Paul was telling him how to have a clear conscience before God and man. Good question, how do we do that? We simply confess and ask Him to make us better and here's where I goof up. We must then submit to His authority for future encounters with that sin. It is so easy to slip and make it about us and shortchange the finished work of Christ. Lord, help us to get this. We so need Your freedom and to stand nobly before men to testify as Paul did with an authentic clear conscience and without dragging Your holy Name through our mud. Grace is bigger. Forgiveness is at hand. Joy is waiting.
Paul may be in prison, but God has them there for a reason.
ReplyDeleteSuffering for the sake of Christ.
Where God leads, even in deep darkness, the Light of Christ brings light.
The holes in us allow Christ's light to shine through.
Are you bruised, torn and pierced...suffering for the message of Christ Jesus? Let His Light shine through you.
Our life is not always about comfort. Paul was exactly where God wanted him to be. He never lost sight of the call on his life.
Ooohhh! All three of your comments are just amazing to me tonight. I mean really! I woke up, went outside on my back porch to pray and just began to weep before the LORD because of some things happening in our lives that are just not right, so hard, so difficult. God moved in today because I could not have gotten to the place of rest where I am tonight without Him and His Grace!
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