Good showed His love

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5.7-8

Romans 5.8 is one if those verses that ought to be part and parcel of every believers arsenal. God showed his love to us, in that while we were still singers Christ died for us.

What an amazing truth. We didn't have to reform before he loved us. We didn't have to please Him before He would die for us.

A lot of folks think they are too bad for God to save. They think that it is obvious that Jesus may have died for the good people, there is no way He died for them. ‘You don’t know what have done!’ they might claim. ‘I have done terrible things – there is no way that Jesus would die for me!’

But that’s not how it works. Jesus died for the ungodly He proved His love when He died on Calvary. Greater love has no man this, then a man like down his life for his friend indeed, but Jesus’ love was so great that he laid down His life for His enemies.

‘Amazing love. How can it be? That thou my God should die for me?’

‘Here is love vast as the ocean. Loving-kindness as a flood.’

God didn’t just say He loved us. He proved it when Jesus died for our sins.

We can’t be good enough to earn His love. He died for us while we were at our worst.

I am so glad that Jesus loved me – when I was still in my sin. Otherwise there would have been no hope. 

For the ungodly

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.– Romans 5.6

We like to think that we can do anything. None of us like to admit we are weak and hopeless and powerless. That is why religion is so appealing. Religion lets us think that we have the strength to do something about our helpless estate when it comes to our standing before God. Religion gives us the impression that our eternity is up to us.

But even while we were without any strength, despite what we thought, Christ died for us - the ungodly.

I like the way Jamieson-Fausset-Brown explains this verse.

'Three signal properties of God’s love are here given: First, “Christ died for the ungodly,” whose character, so far from meriting any interposition in their behalf, was altogether repulsive to the eye of God; second, He did this “when they were without strength” - with nothing between them and perdition but that self-originating divine compassion; third, He did this “at the due time,” when it was most fitting that it should take place (compare Gal 4:4).'

In other words Christ did exactly what we needed. He died for the ungodly who could do nothing about their ungodliness and He did it at just the right time.

But isn’t that what Jesus always does? Doesn’t He always do just what we need, just the way it needs done, and just the time it needs to be done?

Praise God that He always does the thing we can’t do, just the way they need done, and just the time it needs to be done.

If we can trust Him to save us that way, why can’t we trust Him to do it in everything else? 

Growing through troubles

through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. – Romans 5.2-5

‘Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear…’

These are words from a song called ‘Jesus is Coming Soon.’ I like this verse line because it so well expresses what our lives so often are. Life can be full of trials, tribulations, testings, and temptations.

We have comfort though. We don't have to wait until we go the heaven to enjoy the blessings of our gift of salvation and peace with God. The benefits are for here and now as well as then. We stand in that hope. We rejoice in that hope. And we can glory in our trials.

But how do we glory in trials? we can do it because:

Trials teach us how to preserver

Perseverance teaches us to have character

Character teaches us to hope

Hope in God will never let us down

But look at the little phrase that comes next. I love the visual imagery here - 'the love of God is poured out in us by the Holy Spirit who was given us.'

James tells us to count it all joy when we fall into various temptations.  We might not see it in the middle of them, but there is a purpose. They are to make us better people, to develop our character, and to let us experience the pouring out of God's love.

Let us learn to glory in our trials and see them from God's perspective instead of ours. Let’s rejoice in His love being poured out in our trials. 

Peace with God

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, - Romans 5.1

Peace. What a wonderful prospect. Poets put peace to verse. Songwriters write of peace and singers sing of it. Politicians promise it is and oraters orate on it. Writers write of peace filled Utopias. Everyone dreams of it.

The problem is that it just doesn't come. ‘Peace, peace, but there is no peace’ comes to mind.

Peace in this world is one thing. It is a worthy and noble goal. Peace is something we should all be working for.

But I think we can see by now that we are not going to pull it off.

There is still hope. Remember what the angels said when they appear at Jesus’ birth? ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’

We may never find peace on earth because here we have to deal with other people, and they have to cooperate. Here we pretty much have to make due.

But man has another conflict - a big one. Not only do we have to deal with conflict here in this world, but we are born in conflict with God. Our sin put us at ‘enmity’ with God. Our sin separates us from Him. It creates an unbreachable barrier. Well, at least it is from our side.

But, like the angels said, when Jesus was born peace with God became possible. In Christ all the barriers to peace are broken down. Being justified by faith we have peace with God. What an amazing truth. We have nothing to go to the treaty table with. We have no bargaining chips. We treat from a position of weakness.

That peace comes one way only. It comes ‘through peace with our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Peace with God – what a wonderful gift! 

For us also

Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offences  and was raised because of our justification. – Romans 4.23-25

There was no better example for Paul to use than Abraham when writing to the Jews. Abraham was their Patriarch. He was their father. He was their national and spiritual hero. If the Jews had built monuments Abraham’s would have been right in the centre.

So Paul pointed to Abraham’s example. Abraham’s righteousness was imputed to him by faith. Imputed is a great word here. It means that the righteousness of Christ was reckoned to Abraham’s account by faith. He was still a sinner. He was still guilty. But he was reckoned righteous by his faith in Christ.

But it was not only for him, Paul writes. It was also for all of us who believe because Christ was delivered up because of our offences.

Why did Jesus go to the cross? Because of our sins.

He went to the cross because none of us are worthy to claim righteousness for ourselves and because no one is righteous. He was delivered to the cross because I am a sinner.

Sin is nothing to be trifled with. We are justified freely but it cost Jesus everything.

How dare we take a light view of sin

Unstaggering faith

And not being weak in faith, he [Abraham] did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness." – Romans 4.19-22

Unwavering faith. What a challenge that is. Just yesterday I was speaking and praying with a dear new Christian friend about some of the challenges her family is facing at the moment. It is in times like that when our faith is challenged and wears tempting to waver. What a joy it was to watch this friend and see faith entrenched instead of wavering as we prayed together.

Here we see Abraham set up as an example of unwavering faith. He was old, really old, about 100 years old. Sarah his wife was about 90. But God promised them that they would have a son.

And yet, because he was not weak of faith he did not waver. The wonderful old King James says ‘he staggered not at the promise.’

Abraham was not staggered at this impossible promise. Instead he was strengthened in faith, gave glory to God, and was fully convinced that God was able to do whatever He promised.

Wow! All I can say is ‘wow!’ Abraham was not staggered at the promise of God. I look at that and remember how many times I am staggered at God’s promises. How many times has something come up in my life that just knocks me back and causes me to stagger in my Christian life? It is in the most impossible times to trust that God is most glorified when we do trust.

I am going to close with the marvellous worlds of Andrew Peterson in his song ‘Canaan Bound.’ The God wore allowed barren Sarah to bear a son is the same God who promised to provide all my needs in Christ. He is the same God who says that He knows what I need. He is the same God who said that when we are seeking the Kingdom of God He will take care of all the rest. How often does my weak faith cause me to stumble? 

May God give me, like Abraham, unstaggering faith.

‘Long after we are dead and gone

A thousand years our tale be sung

How faith compelled and bore us on

How barren Sarah bore a son

So come to Canaan, come’

It is of faith

Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all – Romans 4.16

The Jews of Paul's day were pretty convinced that God was only for them. Anyone who was not a Jew didn't have any hope of eternity with God. They thought that God was their's alone and that the only way to please God was to keep the entirety of their Jewish Law. Generations of Jews had lived their lives trying to keep that Law.

They looked back to Abraham as their founder and father. Paul used Abraham to make a point. In their scriptures they had read 'Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' Paul points that since Abraham was justified before he was circumcised it could not have been the Law that saved him.

So what did it? 'It is of faith. And it is of faith so that God's promise would be according to grace.'

It is of faith.

Maybe that is what makes it so hard for some people. It is tough to swallow the fact that we can do nothing about our sinful state except to trust God. Religion makes it simple – do what we say and you will be okay. It makes people feel good to think they are doing something on their own.

But God says it is of faith – sola fide.

The old song puts it this way ‘By faith alone, through grace alone, to God alone be the glory.’

It is of faith, not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Praise God - if it were of works I wouldn't stand a chance! 

Where is boasting?

…in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, - Romans 3.25-29

I think that the tendency to boast and brag is somewhere in all of us. We all like to make ourselves look good.  About two years ago I starred walking for health and to lose weight. I keep track of my mileage on an app on my phone. I stared out with modest goals, but they keep getting bigger. I find myself sometimes now extending my distances not so much for health's sake, but to be able to tell everyone how far I have walked and hear them say 'Wow, Roger, that is really good!'

It is easy enough to carry that same problem over into spiritual matters. We can forget that there is nothing just in us - nothing. There is not one of us righteous - no not one. All of our 'justness ' and righteousness and justification comes only from the God who is 'just and he justifier of the man who has  faith in Christ.'

So then what right or cause does anyone have to boast in is spirituality? 'I don't smoke and I don't chew and I don't run with them that do' type mottoes really have no place in the body. It reminds of the Pharisee who said 'I thank God that I am not like one of the publicans. I give, I pray, I fast, and I really am okay ' On the other hand we have the publican who said 'God be merciful to me a sinner.'

I have probably mentioned the great 1905 hymn by James Grey before. I love the way it is worded. There is nothing to brag about when we truly remember that we are only sinners saved by God’s grace.

Naught have I gotten but what I received;

Grace hath bestowed it since I have believed;

Boasting excluded, pride I abase;

I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Only a sinner, saved by grace!

Only a sinner, saved by grace!

This is my story, to God be the glory—

I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Freely

being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. – Romans 3.24-26

'if it seems too good to be true it probably is.' Or, as some may put it 'If it seem to good to be true it is.' Those are generally true statements. Anyone who has fallen for some ad on the telly or clicked on some link or replied to some email knows it.

When we were fist married Mary and I joined a 'buyers club' that was going to save us a fortune. All we had to do was pay $500 in convenient instalments and we could save a fortune on almost anything we had to buy. We were going to recoup it many times over.

The problem is that the plan was virtually unusable and we were stuck. It was an expensive lesson. I think by the time we paid the 500 and the 'small instalment fees' it cost us over $600 and we only saved about $50 in our shopping.  We learned our lesson then. Things in life are not free.

But let’s say that someone had bought the membership for us. Let’s say that we got all the benefits without paying the cost. In that case the plan would have been provided freely for us.

And thus it is with justification, being brought into line with God’s standard of perfection. I could never achieve it. The price was heavy, but I could never pay it. So Jesus went to the cross for me. He paid the price.

So indeed nothing in life is free, but praise God that Christ willingly paid the price for my justification on the cross and gave it freely to me. It is too good to be true, but it is! 

No difference

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God- Romans 3.20-23

God doesn’t want us to miss the point here. He wants us to be absolutely sure that we know that just being religious is not going to do it. Indeed, as we saw before, God is not partial. All have sinned, everyone, including religious folks, all have sinned and because they sin they fall short of the glory of God. 

Some fall short by a mile. Some fall short by inches. But all fall short of God's perfection.

It is kind of like taking a penalty kick from 65 metres in rugby. One kicker might fall 20 metres short. Another might fall 10 metres short. Still another might fall short by only centimetres. But they all fall short and falling short just isn't good enough.

Some folks might he most obvious and visible and wicked of sinners. Men like Hitler and Stalin and such are obviously no where near close to the target. Some are just your everyday Joe Blogg and he too will fall short. Other might from all appearances be really good and pious people. But no one is perfect and even one sin is enough to keep us all short from God's standard of perfection.  

That is why no man’s work is enough. That is why everyone has an equal chance at salvation. The vilest sinner has the same chance as the most pious person we might meet.

That chance is only in Christ. He is the only one who can bridge the gap where we all fall short.

When we share the gospel let’s remember that everyone we talk to is on an equal footing. No matter how wide or narrow the gap is there is a gap separating man from God and only Christ can span that gap. 

Religion is not enough

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.  – Romans 2.28-29

The Jews were confident that just being Jewish was enough. It's kind of like some folks think that being 'Christian' is enough. Paul writes about those who are Jews outwardly.  He might have also written about those who are Christians outwardly.

It is not only the Jews who took confidence in their religion. Many who claim the name of Christ as part of a major denomination also rely on their ‘religion’ to get them to heaven. Just because one is a good Catholic or a good Protestant is not going to get to heaven. Folks still refuse the riches of God’s goodness by judging others and resting in their own ‘goodness.’

So far so good, right? So what does that mean to me? ‘I am not a Jew, I am not a Catholic, I am not a Protestant. I belong a born-again conservative, evangelical, by faith alone, independent, local church. My parents were saved, everyone in my church is saved, I prayed a prayer when I was a kid. So surely I must be safe.’

None of that means anything. Before any of us sit and judge others we had better be sure that we are not despising the goodness, forbearance, and long suffering of God by putting our faith in a prayer or our baptism or anything else like that.

Paul uses circumcision to illustrate this truth the Jews. This, the most important of the Jewish tradition, was their trademark. But God tells them here what He really wants was not a circumcision of their flesh, but of their hearts and spirits. It was not to meet the letter of the law.

The same thing might be said of many who call themselves Christian today. God does not want outward conformity to a bunch of does and don’ts. We may try to measure spirituality that was, but God wants out hearts and spirit to be right. He doesn’t want obedience to the letter, but to His Spirit. By the way, obedience to the Spirit is going to always produce a much better and purer life than just ticking the boxes. 

No partiality

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honour, and immortality; but to those who are self- seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honour, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. – Romans 2.5-11

God draws a clear line between those who are going to inherit eternal life and those who are going to see the fullness of His wrath. There are clearly two groups of people in the world – those who belong to God and those who do not. Those who belong to God show it by their good works. Those who do not belong to God show it by their evil works.

There is no partiality with God. No race or nation or group of people have ‘most favoured’ status with God. All that matters is each individual’s relationship with Him.

There seem to be a lot of folks who think that because they were born in a certain place or carry a particular passport that they deserve to be blessed by God. They seem to think that God owes their race or country or people group a blessing because of who they are are.

There is no Christian race. There is no Christian tribe. There is no Christian people group. There is no Christian nation. Races and nations and people groups may enjoy something of a Christian heritage or tradition, but that does not guarantee anyone God’s favour or blessing.

God is not partial. No matter how ‘Christian’ their heritage not nation can expect God to bless them when they carry on in their sin.

Do we really want to serve a God of partiality who blesses nations who reject Him? 

Goodness, forbearance, and long suffering

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of God,  - Romans 2.4-5

Religious people can get pretty haughty about their religion. these Jews put all their faith in their Jewishness.  Here Paul is point out to them that their Jewishness is not enough. I want to look at the emptiness of religion a little later, but today want to focus on the character of God that gives anyone hope whether their wickedness is obvious, or more hidden, like those who are religious.

God is good. God puts up with a lot. God is patient.

And yet man refuses God. He refuses to accept that God's goodness is aimed at bringing man to repentance.

The world likes to paint God as mean and vengeful and angry and ready to strike down the sinner. But this passage, and indeed the rest of the Bible reveals a God who patiently puts up with man's sin and calls and waits for man to turn to Him. The Lord is indeed good, and tolerant, and patient.

Not only that but the goodness, and tolerance, and patience of God is described as His riches.

Leaving the rest of the theology aside for a moment it is enough to marvel that God is good and forbearing and long suffering. And yet man still rejects His goodness.

God is good.  God puts up with man’s sin for a time. He is patient and waits for man.

It is up to us to decide what to do with his goodness, forbearance, and long suffering. 

Inexcusable

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgement of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practising such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgement of God? – Romans 2.1-3

At this point a lot of ‘believers’ might be feeling pretty chuffed with themselves. You look at that horrible list of sins and think, ‘hey, that sure isn’t me. I am glad I am safe!’ Those are really wicked people. Surely they deserve God’s judgement.

But then comes the statement ‘you are inexcusable!’ The Jews who read this letter thought God was only going to bring down judgement on the Gentiles. ‘Yeah, God’s going to get those dirty Gentile dogs because they are really wicked sinners!’

God hates hypocritical judgement. Here He is, of course, condemning those Jews who were judging Gentiles for doing the same things. God is going to judge all sin, no matter who commits it!

But I think there is another principle applicable to anyone who claims to be God’s child. It is easy for the believer to sit back and condemn all those people who do the really bad sins. It is also easy to ignore the fact that there are things that God’s people are doing at the same time as they are condemning. We have no problem condemning ‘sexual immorality’ but what about ‘whispering and backbiting?’ It is easy to condemn ‘haters of God’ while we excuse ‘unloving, unforgiving, and unmerciful.’

The verse above says that God judges all these things. Does the fact that Christ has faced the judgement for me lessen the wickedness of what I do? Is there any excuse? 

God gave them over

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. – Romans 1.28-32

I often look around and wonder how things can possibly be so bad. Just a quick views of the newspapers internet news feeds will show that we live in wicked, wicked times. I realise that this is nothing new; I know it is just more obvious now, but my point is that we live in a wicked broken world. Just look at the list in the passage above. Sound familiar?

The world is broken and we often wonder why. How can people be so evil and do such evil things. Why can't we all just get along? Why has Utopia never been achieved?

Sadly, it is pretty simple. Man chooses to ignore God and God lets man do what he wants. Certainly, some people want to do right and do their best. We can’t deny that. It is obvious that people can manage decent behaviour without relying on God.

But that doesn’t change the fact that we look at these verses and see a picture of the world we live in. Man will never be able to produce Utopia no matter how well intentioned or how well behaved he is because man is a sinner and the world is broken. We are even warned that as time goes on they is going to be more and more acceptance of wickedness.

God doesn’t force Himself on anyone. If man rejects Him God is willing to let man go on without Him. He even warns of the consequences. But man goes on his way. 

Some believers might be feeling pretty smug at the moment. Hold on till tomorrow. 

Worshipping the creature

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. – Romans 1.24-25

There is a whole lot to talk about here in Romans 1. Every little term and every little phrase could be examined. No matter how clearly God revealed Himself to man it seems that man is bound and determined to reject Him and turn away from Him. When man rejects God He lets them do it. We are going to look at that a little more tomorrow, but in the list of things that God rejecting man doe is that they 'worship and serve the creature more than the Creator '

That is pretty easy to see in this world isn't it? We find a society that instead of worshipping God has decided to worship what He has created. I am not deriding environmentalism; I think Christians should be the most careful of all in taking care of God’s creation. I am talking about a world that nearly deifies the created stuff while ignoring the One who put it there.

But, that’s not my real point today. My point is that even Christians can be caught in the trap of putting created things before the Creator. We may not give devotion to trees and rocks and such, but we can be guilty of worshipping the stuff God gives us.

It is easy to point fingers and condemn those around us to refusing to worship God. It is easy to call them tree-huggers and such. It is much more difficult to accept that we may be guilty of the same things they do. Paul is going to point that out in just a few verses.

How do we know what we worship? We worship the things we give the most time, energy, and resources to. Those who deny God surely aren’t going to worship Him. What is our excuse? 

He is Risen

And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but he is risen... – Luke 24.4-6

There is not a whole lot more to be said, is there? Those three simple little words changed everything. Death became life. Defeat became victory. Despair became joy. Everything was turned upside down. The grave lost its sting. Death died.

All because on that marvellous morning when the women came to take care of Jesus' body the angels said 'He is risen.'

I miss the old Easter hymns. I love the words to ‘Christ Arose.’ It says it all so well. Robert Lowery wrote this amazing song in 1874. 

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Saviour, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave he arose; with a mighty triumph o'er his foes; he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.

           

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Saviour, vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

           

Up from the grave he arose; with a mighty triumph o'er his foes; he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.

           

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Saviour; he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

           

Up from the grave he arose; with a mighty triumph o'er his foes; he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.

           

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

He is risen!

Praise God!

He is risen indeed! 

Creation

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. – Romans 1.20-23

For the last 150 years or so one aspect of Bible belief has been severely under attack. It should not be surprising. If Creation is destroyed then we don’t have to worry about the fall of man and there is no accountability and man can go happily on his way with no regard to God.

But God revealed Himself in Creation. He revealed Himself in such a way that man can see Him. The psalmist wrote ‘the heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows His handiwork.’

Daniel Defoe did a brilliant job describing this in his classic novel Robinson Crusoe. After an illness Crusoe is on the beach wondering about life, the meaning of it, and why he is where he is. The journal entry from June 28^th says this:

‘After I had eaten I tried to walk, but found myself so weak that I could hardly carry a gun, for I never went out without that; so I went but a little way, and sat down upon the ground, looking out upon the sea, which was just before me, and very calm and smooth. As I sat here some such thoughts as these occurred to me: What is this earth and sea, of which I have seen so much? Whence is it produced? And what am I, and all the other creatures wild and tame, human and brutal? Whence are we? Sure we are all made by some secret Power, who formed the earth and sea, the air and sky. And who is that? Then it followed most naturally, it is God that has made all. Well, but then it came on strangely, if God has made all these things, He guides and governs them all, and all things that concern them; for the Power that could make all things must certainly have power to guide and direct them. If so, nothing can happen in the great circuit of His works, either without His knowledge or appointment.’

He goes on from here to open a Bible he found in the captain’s cabin, see his sin and his need of Christ, and turn to Him.

Does it take faith to accept the truth of Creation? Of course it does, just like every other theory of origins. No one was there to record it, there is no eyewitness account. Some will see God in Creation, some will ignore it, but all are without excuse. 

God has shown it

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. – Romans 1.17-19

God hates sin. He is angry at sin. God pours out his wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Man suppresses his thoughts of God in his own unrighteous acts, even though they know it is wrong. The more man dismisses God the easier it becomes.

That tells me a lot.

In the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed as faith is passed from one to another. This is a bit of confusing passage to translate. But it looks to me that faith is passed on by faith, because the just shall live by faith and will share that faith. 

Man knows he is broken. That is why throughout history man has sought a way to placate God. God has shown man his unrighteousness. One way to deal with it is just to ignore God and write Him out of our thoughts. Of course, that does no good. It is kind of like ignoring cancer.

On the other hand we can accept the truth that 'the just shall live by faith.'

It all comes down to faith. It is impossible to scientifically prove God to a sceptic. It just can’t be done.  Faith comes from faith. The gospel is spread from faith to faith. And faith is the motivation by which we live.

Man knows he is not righteous. All men know they do bad things. God has made that clear to every man. That can only be fixed by faith. We are responsible to pass on our faith. Faith is spread by faith.

Are we passing on our faith as we should? 

Unashamed

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1.16

‘I not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…’

I think most of us need to pause right there for just a moment. I think we might take a moment to honestly asses what keeps us from boldly and confidently sharing the gospel of Christ with those around us. Could it possibly be that we are, in fact, ashamed of the gospel? In a world that boldly rejects virtually everything we stand for is it just possible that we are embarrassed that our faith stands in total contrast to the world around us?

Maybe we are not ashamed. Maybe it is fear. Maybe it is something else. Maybe we are not ashamed of the gospel itself, but ashamed to share it because of what people might think. . But at least we need to stop for a moment to examine if there is any part that being ashamed plays in our reticence to share the gospel.

Anyway, that's enough of that question.

Why was Paul unashamed? Why should none of us be ashamed of the gospel?

'Because it is the power of God to salvation.'

The gospel is God's power to bring salvation. God's power is wrapped up in the good news of the gospel.

That is our power. Our power is not based on our wisdom, our abilities, our persuasiveness, our popularity, our speaking ability, or anything else. The gospel is all the power that is needed. All we have to do is unashamedly share it! 

Debtor

Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.  - Romans 1.13-15

Paul was in Rome. He had made contact with the believers there. The next thing he did was to lay out his purpose and his plan.

Paul then makes something of an unusual statement. 'I am debtor to both the Jews and the barbarians, both to the wise and the unwise.'

This is an amazingly powerful statement. When we a debtor to someone it obviously means that we owe them something. So what did Paul owe the Jews and the barbarians and the wise and unwise?

He owed them the message of the gospel. He owed it to them to go to them and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

'I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome.' That was his way to pay the debt. If he owed them the gospel the only thing to do was to be ready to preach it.

How often do we see ourselves as owing to people to share the gospel with them? Is our readiness any indication of our perception of that debt?

As we think about that neighbour or family member or co-worker or shopkeeper who whoever are we aware that we owe it to them to share the gospel?

Of all the debts we have, where does this one fall out in the priority list? 

Mutual faith

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. – Romans 1.9-13

I know that I have written a lot about Paul's desire to go to Rome.  Had never really noticed it in Acts until this time through. I guess part of that comes because it came to my attention the last time I tried to preach through Romans. In Acts we saw his desire to get here, now we get to find out why.

'I long to see you,' Paul wrote shortly before his trip there, 'to do a few things - '

To impart spiritual gifts

To see you established

That we may encourage each other with 'mutual faith'

To see fruit borne in faith

There is too much here to address it all in one brief reflection. I am particularly impressed by one little phrase here. That phrase is 'that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.'

One of the great blessings of being a Christian and meeting believers is the 'mutual faith' that binds and encourages us. A few years ago Jay, Caleb, and Zeke all worked at Superquinn here in Naas. Because of that we need most of our shopping there. One day we were looking for cupcake papers and asked one of the workers there. It turns our he was Polish.  We knew right away that there was something different about him. Jay was a manager and we mentioned that he was our son. Konrad said 'Jay is a Jesus person. I am Jesus person too!' Konrad was living rough at the time. He was in a situation where he really needed that encouragement of mutual faith. Little did we know what a blessing he would be to us. He came to our church for over a year. We were able to celebrate his marriage to a wonderful Christian woman. Eventually they moved back to Poland, but those days of encouragement in the mutual faith with be a blesses part of our lives forever.

Those kind of stories could be repeated over and over again in the body of Christ. May we all learn to cherish and love those days of encouragement in the mutual faith as God brings believers into our lives. 

I thank God for you

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, – Romans 1.8-9

Once Paul introduced his letter, and before he said anything else, he told the believers in Rome that he thanked God for them.

Paul writes a lot about thankfulness. Thankfulness should be a trademark of the church.

But I like the personalisation of thanks here. ‘I thank my God for you all.’ Paul loved fellow believers. As far as we know he had never met any of the Roman Christians. But he gave thanks for them, because ‘their faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.’

Every time I read this I am challenged by it. I look at my life and wonder if my faith is the kind of faith that people could talk about and give someone cause to give thanks for me and my testimony. In fact, does anyone talk about my faith?

That’s one point here. The other is Paul’s attitude about prayer. He gave thanks for these folks. He also told them that he mentioned them in his prayer ‘without ceasing.’

Paul must have had some kind of prayer life. This was only one group of believers of all of those he had contact with. And yet he told them that he always mentioned them in his prayers. If that is the kind of praying for others than I have to say that I fall far short. I sometimes have a hard time even remembering to prayer for my family members and church people. I certainly don’t mention my friends in prayer ‘without ceasing.’

I want to me the kind man whose ‘faith is spoken of.’ I want to be the kind of man who ‘always makes mention’ of my friends in prayer.

Lord, help me to be that kind of man. 

Obedience to the faith

concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, - Romans 1.3-5

There is so much in these couple of verses that we could probably spend a week right here and not even come close to mining its depths. Paul has said of himself that he was set apart to God and his work. In the previous verse he had said that the gospel he was set apart to had been proclaimed in the Holy Scriptures.

Here he says that the scriptures were all concerning Jesus Christ. Jesus was:

Promised by the prophets

God in the flesh

Declared to be Son of God

Empowered by the Spirit of holiness

His power was affirmed by the resurrection from the dead

There is enough theology and doctrine there to keep Bible scholars busy for weeks!

But then he talks about what he (and we) received – grace and apostleship.

And the reason for grace and apostleship – obedience to the faith.

I like that phrase ‘obedience to the faith.’

I like the phrase, but I wonder how much it really impacts me. Does my supposed 'obedience to the faith' have an impact on all the nations for Jesus' name sake?

True faith produces obedience. Does our faith produce obedience? If so what does our obedience produce?  

Servant, sent, separated

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God – Romans 1.1

I like the fact that Romans follows Acts in our canon. I like it because we left Paul in Rome and we just read about when this letter was drafted. I don't know off the top of my head which letter was actually written first, but I like Romans being here.

In the header of his letter Paul sets out his qualifications to write the later.

He was a servant - a bond servant. A doulos. A slave.  One in permanent submission to another.

He was an apostle. An apostolos. One who was sent out. An ambassador.

He was separated to the gospel. As a Pharisee he was one who was set apart for the task of persecuting The Way. Now he was set apart to God. Later in this letter he talks about serving God with the same intensity as serving the flesh before salvation. He knew what he was talking about.

Now I, of course, realise that Paul held the office of apostle and that gave him apostolic authority to write this letter. But I think there is a principle here that still applies to all of us.

We need to remember that we are servants. We are bound to our new master for the rest of our lives. We too are sent out to proclaim the gospel of Christ. We too are set apart from the world to God’s work.

The question we have to ask ourselves is whether or not we are serving our new master, whether we are acting ambassadors for Christ, and whether or not we are living set apart to God’s service.

Or do we serve our old master, the flesh? Do we keep quiet and stay at home? Do we live like the rest of the world?

Could we write the same words Paul wrote? 

With all confidence

Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. – Acts 28.30-31

The book of Acts has brought us along way from the ascension of Christ all the way to Paul's ministry under house arrest in Rome. About 25 years have passed, but what a 25 years. The church had been born and grown to many thousands it had expanded from Jerusalem into the rest of the Middle East and beyond into Asia and Europe. 'The Way' now included both Jews and Gentiles and great numbers now went by the name 'Christian.'

The book starts in Jerusalem and ends in Rome. It ends with a guy who, when the story began was out to persecute the church, is sitting in a rented home under house arrest teaching and preaching about the Jesus and the Kingdom of God to anyone who called by.

And he did it with confidence. The word confidence means ‘with all out-spokenness.’ Before Paul was saved he pursued Christians with confidence and boldness. He doesn’t appear to be a guy who did anything half way. He gave his all.

In his letter to the Romans, which he has only recently written, he told them to use their bodies to the serve the Lord with the same intensity that they used to serve sin.

I like this last few of Paul before we start reading his letters. We will find out more about his last days in some of those letters, but for now may God give each of us the power and boldness to preach about the Kingdom of God and teach about Jesus with that same confidence. 

Persuading

So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.  – Acts 28.23-24

Paul's house arrest was an interesting situation. While technically a prisoner of the state he still was able to have visitors in his home. Many came to see him there to hear him and find out what he was speaking about. It seems to be just about all he did, from morning till evening.

That in itself is a challenge. Paul may not have had Facebook or Twitter or YouTube or 196 television channels, but there was still plenty of other things that he could have been doing. He could have felt sorry for himself being under house arrest. He could have said, 'Well, there's not much I can do here.'

But he didn't do that. He stayed at it, opened his Bible, and strove to persuade men from the scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah they were looking for.

I like Paul's sense of priorities. Persuading people was A1 on his priority list. Everything else were A2s or B1s or somewhere else down the list. I know we cany stay at home under house arrest with people coming in, but surely we can do a better job of rearranging our priorities.

Something else sticks out too. Some were persuaded, but even with Paul some still disbelieved what he had to say. We need to recognise that when people reject our message, unless we are just being jerks, it is Christ, nut us they reject.

So let us keep praying, keep persuading, and keep preaching and leave the results up to God. 

Finally

where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. – Acts 28.14-15

Paul finally achieved his long term goal. He finally made it to Rome. It was a tough road. It was a hard road. They left their boat and met the first group of believers at Puteoli. They spent a week with them and then headed on their way. As the travellers approached Rome form the southwest they came across Appii Forum, a Roman post station about 65km away and Tree Inns, a travellers rest stop about 35km from Rome.

What a sight it must have been as the looked down the beautifully paved Roman road and saw some strangers coming toward them. As they drew closer they realised that it as a group of believers from Rome - the very people Paul had been praying for for so long! Suddenly it was all worthwhile.

This reminds me of just how wonderfully sweet Christian fellowship is. I love to travel and come across believers and fellowship with them. If we are on the road we always look for a church having a service. Zeke and I came across a small prayer meeting in Wales one time. Mary and I went to Baptist church in Leterkenny when we were away for a few days. This kind of thing happens all the time and I have yet to be sorry that I have spent time with fellow Christians.

Paul knew why he was in Rome. He knew he was a prisoner. He knew a trial, imprisonment, and possibly death was ahead.

But he was with the people he had prayed for and longed to see. And that was enough. 

Almosters

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” - Acts 26.28-29

‘Almost’ must be one of the saddest words in all of Scripture. Agrippa got right to the point of salvation. He and Felix were a lot alike. Felix said ‘a more convenient time.’ Agrippa said ‘almost persuaded.’ But neither took that final step. Both were ‘almosters.’

There is an old song that has pretty much gone out of vogue that captures these moments beautifully. Below is the story and the song.

Almost Persuaded, the Song and the Story

Composer Philip Paul Bliss Writes Almost Persuaded

More than 2,000 years ago King Agrippa told the Apostle Paul “Almost, you persuade me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26:28). In 1871 Reverend Brundage expounded upon this sad story in Acts, and then ended his Sunday Morning sermon with the words "He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, and to be almost saved is to be entirely lost".

Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876), composer of many hymns, including The Light of the World is Jesus and Dare to Be a Daniel, was among the congregants listening to Reverend Brundage's sermon. The pastor's powerful closing words left such an impression upon Bliss that he set about composing a song with the same sentiment.

Almost Persuaded was published that same year in The Charm: A Collection of Sunday School Music, and quickly found its way into the majority of English Christian hymnals; the compelling words have since been sung at many an alter call.

Almost Persuaded

Almost persuaded now to believe;

Almost persuaded Christ to receive;

Seems now some soul to say,

Go, Spirit, go Thy way,

Some more convenient day

On Thee I'll call.

Almost persuaded, come, come today;

Almost persuaded, turn not away;

Jesus invites you here,

Angels are lingering near

Prayers rise from hearts so dear;

O wanderer, come!

Almost persuaded, harvest is past!

Almost persuaded, doom comes at last!

Almost cannot avail;

Almost is but to fail!

Sad, sad, that bitter wail

Almost, but lost!

Written by: Connie Ruth Christiansen

Source: http://www.sharefaith.com/guide/Christian-Music/hymns-the-songs-and-the-stories/almost-persuaded,-the-song-and-the-story.html

Paul’s desire was clear – ‘I wish that you were not only almost, but fully persuaded along with everyone else in the room.’

Let’s pray for all the ‘almosters’ that are out there. As Rev Brundage put it 'He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, and to be almost saved is to be entirely lost.'

Trust God and don't quit

Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” -Acts 26.22-23

I like stories of faithfulness and stick-to-it-iveness. I enjoy reading about missionaries like William Carey for that reason. I like what Patrick said when thought leaving his ministry in Ireland. ‘'I could wish to leave them to go to Britain. I would willingly do this, and am prepared for this, as if to visit my home country and my parents. Not only that, but I would like to go to Gaul to visit the brothers and to see the faces of the saints of my Lord. God knows what I would dearly like to do. But I am bound in the Spirit, who assures me that if I were to do this, I would be held guilty. And I fear, also, to lose the work which I began – not so much I as Christ the Lord, who told me to come here to be with these people for the rest of my life. May the Lord will it, and protect me from every wrong path, so that I do not sin before him.'

I have always admired testimonies like that.

Paul had that kind of testimony like that. While in his ministry he was beaten, left for dead, shipwrecked, arrested, and opposed. We know from 2 Corinthians that he got discouraged and was tempted to quit.

And yet here he was able to say ‘having obtained help from God to this day I stand.’

And that really says it all. Being a real success in any service for God is simply a better of relying on Him and staying at the task. Trust God and don’t quit.

The great thing is that it doesn’t take a superstar to do that. Anybody can trust God and don’t quit if we rely on His help.

May we all have a Paul-like spirit. Trust God’s to help us and just don’t quit. 

And to do works

“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. Acts 26.19-20

Now Paul stood before the Roman official, King Agrippa. Here as well he would simply defend himself by telling what God had called and led him to do. When called before Agrippa Paul used the opportunity to give testimony of how God had saved him and how he had been called to go to the same Jews with the gospel message.. He pointed out that there was nothing he preached in conflict with the Law and Prophets.

He said that he obeyed the vision that God gave him. His message to the Jews in the whole region, and to the Gentiles, was this.

People must repent

People must turn to God

People must do works that evidence salvation

That’s it in a nutshell isn’t it? Repent, turn to God, and do the works that evidence that you have turned to God.

The works don’t produce faith – faith produces works. Where there is no works there never was any living faith. Ephesians tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, but that after that God ordained that we would walk in good works.

True faith works. Full stop. 

A more convenient time

Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." – Acts 24.25

Poor old Felix. He didn't know how to handle this one. Paul preached and as he preached he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgement.

The preaching got Felix rattled. He was afraid. He didn't want to talk about it any more. He didn’t want to hear about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgement.

To be honest, who would?

But instead of dealing with it Felix did what so many do. ‘Go away Paul, we can talk about this at a better time.’

That is so easy to do isn’t it? The lost don’t want to hear about those things so it is easy to say ‘we’ll talk about it later.’

But the Bible says ‘now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation.’ There is no more convenient time. Now is the time to deal with eternal life.

But there are lessons for believers as well. We can be just as bad when there are things in our lives that we don’t want to deal with right now. We say in our hearts that we can take care of it later.

But even for us there is no more convenient time to deal with righteousness and self-control than right now.

Now is the accepted time. 

This I confess

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. - Acts 24.14-16

Paul's trial would certainly have been a main feature on news sources if they had had them. It certainly would have been streamed live on YouTube or some other source. There would have been a live Twitter feed, perhaps #paulfelix would have been trending. Paul was ready to make his defence before Felix.

'But this I confess...' @jerusalemupdate would have tweeted 'Paul confesses #paulfelix'

But it wasn't the confession everyone was waiting for. 'This is what I confess. I worship the God of my fathers like the people called 'The Way,' which everyone calls a cult.'

Here was Paul, before the most powerful official in the region, using his court appearance as a chance to tell everyone exactly what he believed. 

His confession is a challenge, especially because it is so public.

What did he confess?

I worship according to The Way, the group the Jews call a cult

I worship the God of my fathers found in the Law and Prophets (the Bible they had)

I have hope in God for the resurrection of the dead

I strive to live right before God and man.

The Twitter feed would have read

Paul affirms he is cult member but good Jew #paulfelix

Paul presses resurrection issue #paulfelix

Paul claims all in name of good conscience #paulfelix

There is so much too see in the way Paul handles things. I line with his words about not speaking evil of a ruler’ he started this address with ‘most noble Felix.’ He was not confrontational or belligerent. He just confessed his faith and let God deal with the rest.

I think there is a lot for us to learn there. 

A little known messenger

So when Paul's sister's son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, "Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him." So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, "Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you." Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?" And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him. But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you." So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me." – Acts 23.16-22

The Bible is full of little known events and lesser known characters. But they all play a part,in giving us the complete word of God. Here we meet Paul's nephew. We don't know his name. All we know is that he was young and he was the son of Paul's sister.

Somehow this young man heard about a plot to ambush and kill Paul while he was being transported. He went and told Uncle Paul all about it. Paul asked one of the guards to take the young man to the commander. The commander took him by the hand, drew him aside, and asked him what was going on. He told the commander that the plot to bring Paul to the council was a trick and they were going to take Paul and kill him. The commander told the young man to keep quiet and not tell anyone.

This was quit an event. Forty men were in place to ambush the guards on the way to Felix. After the young man came the commander instructed that 200 soldiers, 70 cavalry, and 200 spearmen accompany Paul and the guards to Felix.

So the next day ‘The soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul to Felix.’

I wish I could have seen those 40 lads who were going to ambush the detachment!

Anyhow, I am blessed by this young man, who we know nothing about. I am impressed that he played his own role in keeping Paul safe and allowing the mission to continue.

We never know what our little actions are going to accomplish. Who knew how important the visit to Uncle Paul was going to be? 

You must bear witness in Rome

But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." – Acts 23.11

Remember when Paul said 'I must go to Rome?' Remember that heartfelt desire we talked about? Well now it looks like he is going to get to go.

There had just been a major ruckus between the Parisees and Saducees (what else is new?). It got so bad that Paul was taken to the military barracks for his own protection.

It looked like another diversion of delay. But the Lord came to him and encouraged him. 'Don't worry Paul. Just like you testified about me here you will testify and bear witness of me in Rome '

Paul didn't have to go to Rome for a holiday. When he said 'I must go to Rome' I think he already knew why he had to go.  Rome was Paris, London, and New York all wrapped up in one. There was a great need for the gospel. If the gospel could be planted there it would go all over the world!

Plus there was a group of believers there. From all appearances they were doing the best they could without formal teaching. Paul had written them a letter yearning to be with them. He had probably only just written this letter so it was fresh on his mind.

And now God says ‘Don’t fret Paul, you are going to get to go!’

It may not be what Paul once envisioned, but God was granting Paul his desire to go to Rome to preach the gospel! 

Do not speak evil

Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?" And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" Then Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" – Acts 23.3-5

Paul was angry. He was brought before the high priest Ananias. He had just begun his defence when Ananias ordered a guard to punch him in the mouth. No wonder he was angry!

He said 'God is going to strike you, you whitewashed tomb! You sit down to judge me by the law and you break the law by having me struck!'

The crowd was shocked. 'How can you talk that way to the high priest?'

'I didn't know that he was the high priest. It is written that no one should speak evil of the ruler of your people.'

It is not a big, deep, theological lesson for today. It is a practical one. The whole word of God teaches us that we should always show respect to those in authority. We never see a case where any cause if given for 'speaking evil' of a ruler.

The New Testament tells us how we treat those in authority. Obey them. Submit to them. Pray for them. Honour them. Don't speak evil of them.

Why then are we so quick to speak evil of our authorities and rulers?

No matter how popular it is today I think it is pretty clear that we need to be very, very careful about the way we treat and speak about our leaders.

Paul knew enough to be chagrined when he spoke this way. What do we do?

The will of the Lord be done

So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done." – Acts 21.14

They couldn't get Paul to change his mind. Nothing could dissuade him from what he what he knew had called him to do. He was ready to go to Jerusalem, even then he knew it meant at least arrest and possible death. He was dedicated to God's purpose for him.

So when the people were convinced that Paul was going they said the simple but profound statement. They stopped arguing and said 'The will of The Lord be done.'

There is a lot of debate among Bible scholars about whether or not it was indeed God's will for Paul to make this trip to Jerusalem. Some say that the other disciples were wrong for opposing it and some say that Paul was wrong or insisting on it. I am not going to wade in on that debate. The key here I think was the attitude of the disciples when they were able to say 'the will of the Lord be done.'

It is not always easy to determine God's will when we are discussing plans when Christians disagree about what we should do. Scripture doesn't always give us a clear guide as to what to do next. Sometimes we just have to pray for God's will to be done, decide what to do, and do it trusting God with the result.

But I think the key he is the attitude that the disciples had. It is and attitude that says 'we are willing to lay aside our opinions and seek what God wants us to do.

It is too easy to get stuck in our own wills. It is too easy to be convinced we are right. It is too easy to not see the other side. May we be willing to step aside at the moments and seek God's will instead of our own.

I am ready to die

When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' " Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." – Acts 21.11-13

  

The disciples were gathered together at Philip's house in Caesarea when a prophet named Agabus came to them. He took Paul's belt and bound his own hands and feet. He used that to prophecy what was going to happen to Paul. 'The Jews are going to take the man who owns this belt, bind him, and deliver him to the Gentiles.

Of course the other disciples were heart broken. They begged Paul not to go. They couldn't stand the thought of Paul going to Jerusalem to go to jail.

The mutual love and compassion is moving. 'Your crying is breaking my heart!'

'I am ready not only to be arrested, but I am ready to die for the name of Jesus.'

Paul was not alone in His willingness to die for the name of Jesus. Vast numbers of believers through the history of the church have been willing to die for Him. Vast numbers have died in many brutal ways.

Paul had been there was Stephen was martyred and even taken part in it. He knew others who had died. Now he proclaimed that he was willing to do the same.

I often wonder what I would do if I were really called on to die for the name of Jesus. I hope that if push comes to shove would follow the pattern set by Paul and so many others.

But what does my life say today? What do all of our lives say today? Do your and my lives indicate at all that we are willing to sacrifice what it takes to live totally for Jesus? If not, how can we claim that we would sacrifice what it takes to die for Him?