Christ Church

The Potential of Young Men (The Continuing Adventures of Jesus #42) (King’s Cross)

Lindsey Gardner on

INTRODUCTION

This episode contrasts two kinds of young men. You have a mob of angry young men and you have the wise courage of Paul’s nephew.

We live in a world inundated with manipulations and lies, and the inevitable result of this is bitterness and wrath, particularly among young men. God created men to lead and build, using their strength sacrificially for the good of those around them. But when they despair and give up hope in that potential, their strength is often twisted to destruction and evil. This is why young men must know Christ and place their hope in the power of His resurrection. God rules all the plots of men and turns them to His will.

The Text: “And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded themselves together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul…” (Acts 23:12-24).

 

SUMMARY OF THE TEXT

Certain Jews took a vow to kill Paul, and the chief priests and elders apparently agreed to the plot (Acts 23:12-15). However, Paul’s nephew got wind of the plot and told Paul, who instructed him to tell the chief captain (Acts 23:16-19). After the young man told the chief captain about the plot, he ordered two hundred solider, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spear men to escort Paul on horseback through the night to Governor Felix in Caesarea (Acts 23:20-24).

 

KING JESUS OVERRULES

Chrysostom says, “Like some king whom his bodyguards escort, so did these escort Paul.” Another commentator suggests Paul is like a Mordecai who was plotted against but ends up honored publicly (Esth. 6:7-11).

God repeatedly uses the pagan empire to protect his people. The pagan politicians have their motivations, but they are all being used by the risen Jesus to direct events to His ends. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…” (Gen. 50:20) Just as the Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and Jews intended to put an end to Jesus, they only did what God’s counsel had determined beforehand would be done (Acts 4:27-28). This is the wisdom and power of God which ordained before the world for our glory, which if the princes of this world had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:7-8).

 

A POWDER KEG

Like the first century, we are living in a powder keg of a culture, with the primary flammable material being angry young men. God made the world for the blessing of young men, a world where ambitious young men might explore, hunt, discover, build, invent, and use their energy and strength for the good of the world (Gen. 1-2). Men were made to sacrifice their strength for the good of others (Eph. 5, 1 Pet. 3). But many of our leaders in the public square and the church have rejected the goodness of masculine strength. Many have lied and manipulated young men, whether with demands of effeminacy, or lies about history, politics, or religion. And many Christian leaders have insisted that “sacrificial strength” simply means becoming a limp rug for everyone to walk over. As in this text, many Christian leaders have compromised with the world and evil.

 

CONCLUSION

In addition to the courage of Paul, here we have a young man who used his strength for good, to undermine the machinations of evil men.

The center of this strength is Christ Himself. For generally gives men more physical strength, but Christ is the strength of Christian men. And by His strength they lead in obedience in every circumstance (Phil. 4).

The temptation is often to choose the wrong sacrifice, but our duty is to embrace the one Christ assigns to us. Jesus was obedient to His death, and all who follow Him must embrace the Cross He assigns. And in the face of the doubts and fears, look to the One who raised Him from the dead, the one who thwarts the plots of men and uses pagans to exalt His saints.

Read Full Article

Christian Courage (The Continuing Adventures of Jesus #41) (King’s Cross)

Joshua Edgren on

INTRODUCTION

Christian courage is based entirely on the conviction that God is for us, that God is on our side. It is based on the certainty that the resurrection of Jesus Christ means that our sins have been completely paid for. It is based on God’s perfect justice and a completely clean conscience before God.

If we are a cowardly people, it is because we are guilty people. So the courage and innocence of Paul is a message we desperately need today.

THE TEXT:

“And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and three dust into the air, the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle…” (Acts 22:23-23:11)

SUMMARY OF THE TEXT

As the Jewish mob erupted again in chaos, the captain ordered Paul to be interrogated by flogging, but as they were tying him up, Paul asked the centurion if it was lawful to scourge a Roman citizen without a trial (Acts 22:23-25). Startled, the centurion told the captain who was surprised for the second time that day to find out that Paul was a freeborn citizen and cancelled the interrogation (Acts 22:26-29).

The next day, the captain brought Paul to face the Jewish council, when, as soon as Paul said he was innocent, the high priest ordered him to be struck on the mouth (Acts 22:30-23:2). To which, Paul vehemently objected, but when he realized it was the high priest, he took it back, which may indicate that Paul’s eyesight was very poor (Acts 23:3-5, cf. Gal. 6:11). When Paul gathered that the council was filled with both Pharisees and Sadducees, he cried out that he was being accused because of his belief in the resurrection, and the assembly descended into bedlam, requiring the captain to drag Paul out of the council (Acts 23:6-10). The following evening, the Lord appeared to Paul and encouraged him with the promise of testifying in Rome (Acts 23:11).

IS IT LAWFUL?

In this text, there are two scenes back-to-back where Paul appeals to what is “lawful.” Both refer to the lawfulness of striking someone without due process of law (Acts 22:25, 23:3). This underlines two significant principles in biblical law: presumption of innocence and the inherent violence granted to the civil magistrate.

Throughout Scripture, God requires two or three witnesses to convict anyone of sin or crimes: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established” (Deut. 19:15, cf. Deut. 17:6). This principle is reinforced by Jesus: “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established… For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:16, 20). And this is a particular protection in the civil sphere because God has granted magistrates the sword of vengeance (Rom. 13:4). This is why Christians must believe in limited government.

This biblical principle of justice means that God requires us to presume innocence and give the benefit of the doubt where there are not multiple witnesses. God says it is better if a criminal occasionally gets off than for the innocent to be punished. Closely related, the Bible requires that false witnesses be held liable to the penalty they would have inflicted on their neighbor (Dt. 19:19). This is a stern warning against false/mistaken accusations.

GOOD CONSCIENCE

One of the most offensive things in a fallen world is a good conscience. This is why whenever people are upset, they almost immediately begin demanding apologies. Just admit you were wrong. Nobody’s perfect. You’re not Jesus. When people are offended, one of the most offensive things you can do is say that you have a clean conscience.

Paul had just given his testimony, which included the acknowledgement that he had persecuted Christians, including his consent to the blood of Stephen (Acts 22:4, 20). And he was baptized for the remission of his sins (Acts 22:16). But Paul’s conversion and baptism are the very reason why he can begin his defense before the council with the words, “I have lived in all good conscience before God…” (Acts 23:1). Peter makes a similar point, referring to Noah’s flood, when he wrote, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21).

Do you have a good conscience before God? This was what was so offensive about Job. He was certain that he had not done anything to deserve the calamities that fell on his house (and he was right). The sinless innocence of Jesus was also particularly offensive (Jn. 9:24).

BE COURAGEOUS

In the midst of this cacophony of false accusations, the Lord Jesus visits Paul again, coming upon him, overshadowing him, and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). Literally, he says, ‘Be courageous, Paul’ (e.g. 2 Cor. 7:16, Heb. 13:6). Think of the Captain of the host of the Lord appearing to Joshua to send him to Jericho (Josh. 5:13-6:5), all in the context of the command, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh. 1:9).

Jesus is sending Paul to Rome, the first century “Jericho.” And while that city took longer than seven days, Paul and many other faithful preachers blew their gospel trumpets for many decades, and those walls of pagan unbelief did come tumbling down.

APPLICATIONS

Paul is on trial because of the resurrection on multiple levels. He is on trial because the risen Jesus appeared to him and commanded him to preach to the gentiles. He is on trial because by the resurrection of Jesus, he has a completely clean conscience before God. He is on trial because the resurrection of Jesus has made him bold to obey no matter what (cf. 1 Cor. 15:10).

The law requires presumption of innocence, and this really is remarkable in a fallen world, where everyone is guilty of something. But this underlines God’s disposition towards us: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy… Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him” (Ps. 103:8, 13). “The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Ps. 46:7). And we must imitate this grace in our families and neighbors. With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Satan is the accuser; Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father, the propitiation for our sins (1 Jn. 2:1-2). We have three witnesses of our complete innocence: the Spirit, the water, and the blood (1 Jn. 5:8). And all three say with a united voice, “not guilty.” This is our confidence, our Christian courage.

Read Full Article

Gospel Trouble (The Continuing Adventures of Jesus #40) (KC)

Joshua Edgren on

INTRODUCTION

What is your reaction to trouble? How do you respond when things don’t go the way you planned? Christians are people who have surrendered to Jesus Christ, trusting that His plan is better because He died and rose again to forgive our sins and put us on His mission and therefore, He is worthy.

This is now the second time (of three) we will hear Paul’s testimony. Luke is emphasizing the legitimacy of Paul’s apostleship, but it also sets down the bass line of Christian life: we follow Christ and when trouble happens, it is an opportunity to talk about His mission.

The Text: “And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people…” (Acts 21:35-22:22)

SUMMARY OF THE TEXT

Having just been beaten, while being pulled up the stairs to the fortress, Paul asked the captain (in Greek) if he could speak to the people, and after clarifying who he was, he began speaking to the people in Hebrew (Acts 21:35-40). Paul told the Jews that he had been a devout Jew, trained by the great Gamaliel, including persecuting Christians, all the way to Damascus (Acts 22:1-5). While on that road, Jesus of Nazareth confronted him with a great light and sent him into the city to find out what he must do (Acts 22:6-10). He was led by his companions into Damascus where Ananias restored his sight, commissioned him as an apostle, and Paul was baptized and assured of his forgiveness (Acts 22:11-16).

After that, it was while Paul was praying in the temple, that Jesus appeared to Him again and sent him out of Jerusalem to preach, despite the fact that Paul had persecuted the Christians (Acts 22:17-20). And when Paul said that Jesus had sent him to preach to the Gentiles, the Jews exploded with murderous outrage (Acts 22:21-22).

OPPORTUNITY TROUBLE

It is remarkable that having just escaped being beaten to death (Acts 21:31-32), Paul sees an opportunity for the gospel. This follows a long-established pattern in the book of Acts:

(1) Pentecost Commotion (2:1-41), result: 3000 baptisms; (2) Lame Man controversy (4:1-4), result: 2000 more believers; (3) Ananias and Sapphira struck dead (5:1-14), result: more believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of men and women; (4) Commotion after Peter and John’s prison break (5:17-26), result: disciples rejoicing, preaching and teaching more, and increasing in number (5:41-6:1); (5) Greek and Jewish widow controversy (6:1-7), result: first deacons appointed, the word of God increased, disciples multiplied; (6) Controversy with Stephen’s arrest and execution (6:8-8:4ff), result: scattered disciples preaching the word everywhere; (7) Saul confesses Jesus in Damascus and plots ensue (9:19-25); result: amazement and Jews confounded, (8) Saul preaches in Jerusalem and plots ensue (9:26-31), result: the churches were edified, walking in the fear of God, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit;

(9) Contention over Peter preaching to Cornelius and baptizing him (10:1-11:18), result: they glorified God; (10) Continued persecution following the death of Stephen (11:19-21), result: Greeks hear the gospel in Antioch and many turned to the Lord; (11) Herod arrests Peter and Peter’s prison break (12:1-24), result: the word of God grew and multiplied; (12) Angry crowd in Antioch in Pisidia (13:44-52), result: Gentiles rejoicing and glorifying God and believing; disciples filled with joy and the Holy Spirit; (13) Rowdy Crowds in Iconium (14:1-5), result: half the city siding with the apostles; (14) Violent Mob in Lystra stones Paul (14:8-19), result: disciples strengthened & encouraged; (15) Circumcision controversy and Jerusalem council (15:1-35), result: rejoicing and unity; (16) Paul and Barnabas have sharp disagreement over whether to take Mark with them (15:36-41), result: they go separate ways and Paul and Silas are sent out under the grace of God;

(17) Violent mob in Philippi (16:16-23), result: Philippian jailer and family converted, the brothers encouraged; (18) Violent mob in Thessalonica (17:5-8), result: many devout Greeks and leading women believe; (19) Angry crowd in Berea (17:10-14), result: many Jews believed along with a number of leading Greek women; (20) Jewish insurrection in Corinth (18:1-17), result: many Corinthians heard the gospel, believed, and were baptized; (21) Riot in Ephesus (19:23-41), result: the name of Jesus was extolled, the word increased, and the brothers were encouraged; (22) Angry mob in Jerusalem (21:27-22:29), result: the gospel is preached to the crowd; (23) Violent dissension in the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (23:6-10), result: a chance to preach to governors and free trip to Rome.

Moral of the story: Jesus is in control, and He uses trouble to further His Kingdom.

THE GOSPEL STORY

While Paul is telling a story about his conversion to Christ, he is alluding to the broader story of God’s dealings with Israel. Paul calls the Jews “brothers and fathers” (Acts 22:1), and he speaks to them in the Hebrew tongue (Acts 22:2), which reaches back to the line of Seth and Noah and Abraham. He also calls the law the “law of the fathers” (Acts 22:3) and refers to the Jewish leaders as “elders” and the zealous Jews in Damascus as “brothers” (Acts 22:5), again linking himself with the covenant line of Israel going back to the giving of the law by Moses. And his prayers in the temple (Acts 22:17) bring us all the way through the Kingdom of David and Solomon up to Paul’s present day.

Paul’s overarching argument is that he has changed his mind about the story of Israel. Paul is saying that Jesus is the fulfillment of the story of Israel because He risen from the dead, proving that He is Israel’s Messiah and forgave Paul’s sins. And the Lord Jesus has commanded that this gospel includes the Gentiles who believe. While the Jews knew that their light was supposed to attract the Gentiles, what they could not abide was the idea that the Gentiles didn’t have to become Jews, that the Jews were not the center of the Kingdom story. That was not how they thought the story was supposed to go, but this was to radically misunderstand the story. The covenant story was never about them; it was always about the grace of God commandeering them.

APPLICATION: APOLOGETIC TESTIMONY

What Paul asks the Jews to listen to is his apology or apologia, which means defense (Acts 22:1). This is where we get the word “apologetics,” which is the study of defending the faith. And what Paul does is give his testimony. Paul’s testimony of God’s work in his life is central to his defense of the truth of the gospel.

But Paul’s testimony is clearly the story of his insolence, his determination to go one way, and Christ’s gracious, conquering determination to stop him in his tracks and make him go a different way. A testimony is the story of your surrender to Jesus Christ.

John Calvin says this about Paul’s question What shall I do, Lord? “This is the voice of a tamed man, and this is the true turning unto the Lord; when laying away all fierceness and fury, we bow down our necks willingly to bear his yoke, and ready to do whatsoever he commanded us.”

You say Jesus Christ is Lord, and so He is, but that means trouble. It means that our personal plans are no longer supreme. It means He is the center of the story. He is the hero. But surrender to Jesus Christ is the greatest peace and joy because in Him is complete forgiveness and an eternal mission. If you have that forgiveness and mission, your story is part of His story, and every trial is an opportunity for the gospel.

Read Full Article

Bearing His Reproach (The Continuing Adventures of Jesus #39) (KC)

Joshua Edgren on

INTRODUCTION

As prophesied, when Paul arrived in Jerusalem, false reports were swirling around, and a riot broke out and Paul was nearly killed. No doubt there were critics who thought Paul could have been more careful, clearer in his teaching, but the real reason was the name of Jesus.

Jesus promised that if we followed Him, we would be misunderstood, lied about, and sometimes persecuted and killed. But when it happens, we’re still often caught off guard and surprised. While it is always worth double checking our words and actions, we have to be prepared for unjust treatment, and we have to be prepared to rejoice when it happens.

The Text: “And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea…” (Acts 21:15-34)

SUMMARY OF THE TEXT

As planned, Paul and his entourage went down to Jerusalem where they were warmly welcomed, and Paul immediately met with James and all the elders in Jerusalem and reported all that the Lord had done (Acts 21:15-19). The elders informed Paul that there were now thousands of believing Jews in Jerusalem, but a false rumor is going around that he forbids Jews from keeping the law and circumcising their children, and large crowds are coming into town (probably for Pentecost) (Acts 21:20-22).

So the elders asked Paul to sponsor the sacrifices of four men who have taken Nazirite vows, and near the end of the seven days of purification, some Jews from Asia stirred up the crowds and accused Paul of teaching against the temple, the law, and bringing Gentiles into the temple (Acts 21:23-29). A mob quickly formed that began beating Paul, intent on killing him, but the captain of the guard rushed in with soldiers and rescued him (by arresting him), amidst a cacophony of confused accusations (Acts 21:30-34).

THE ACCUSATIONS

The accusations the Jews brought are half-truths and lies. It is true that Paul taught that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision ultimately matters, but only obedience to Christ (1 Cor. 7:19, Gal. 6:15). He also taught that the ceremonial law was a “tutor” for Israel until Christ came (Gal. 4:1-10). But he had also had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:3), taken a Nazirite vow himself (Acts 18:18), and was at least respectful of the Feasts of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost (Acts 20:6, 16).

So what does this mean? Paul was very concerned to not make Jewish ceremonies a prerequisite for fellowship with God or in the church (e.g. Gal. 2:11ff). He’s happy to make concessions on these “customs” so long as they are just pious customs. He is happy to live as a Jew to win Jews to Christ, and he is happy live as a Gentile to win Gentiles to Christ (1 Cor. 9:20-22). And this is why he is happy to sponsor the fulfillment of these Nazirite vows (Acts 21:23-24). But Paul was fierce about the truth of the gospel and simple obedience to God’s moral law (the Ten Commandments) (e.g. 1 Tim. 1:4ff).

MISUNDERSTANDING & PERSECUTION

So we have here Paul doing everything he can to show deference to different people, and having done so, he is lied about, beaten, and nearly killed by religious people. When the Roman captain of the guard shows up, he even assumes that Paul is probably guilty of something and arrests him (Acts 21:33). And just after our text, it comes out that the captain assumed Paul was some notorious Egyptian terrorist (Acts 21:38).

People often assume that if there’s a mob, there must be someone else who did something wrong to cause it. Someone must have said something or done something to enrage them. But sometimes mobs are just collective, irrational rage, as we see here (Acts 21:34). We have to remember that the center of our faith is a perfect man, who always said and did what was perfectly right, and they hated him, lied about him, and eventually murdered him. And Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you…” (Jn. 15:18-21). We must be careful not to suffer as evildoers, but we should also expect to suffer simply because we are Christians (2 Tim. 3:12).

APPLICATIONS

This episode demonstrates the potency of lies and slander. We live in a world inundated with lies and slander. But lies and slander are violence against the truth and the true character of those made in God’s image (Lev. 19:16, Prov. 18:8). Of course, people don’t set out to become murderers. They spin or shade the truth because it seems important for their “cause,” because the other side is so bad, etc. But there are no brakes on that car. When you are reckless with the truth, you become a bad guy, even if you try to tell yourself it’s for some good reason.

In Prince Caspian, when one of the dwarves suggests enlisting the help of some evil hags and ogres, Caspian refuses, and Trufflehunter says, “We should not have Aslan for a friend if we brought in that rabble.” To which Trumpkin also added that they wouldn’t have him. You can’t bring in lies and slander, even against God’s enemies without becoming another one of God’s enemies: “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight” (Prov. 12:22).

Do not easily believe rumors or accusations. This requires judiciousness, thoughtfulness, and being quick to listen and slow to tweet. Do not follow the multitude to do evil (Ex. 23:2), including on social media.

At the same time, you ought not fail to join your voice to the truth, even unpopular truths. When the elders in Jerusalem received Paul warmly, they were standing up for the truth of Paul’s good reputation, even though he was being smeared in the news.

Practice this in your families, with your kids. Don’t assume the worst. Protect their reputations. Be loyal to Christ, the truth, and one another.

And when you get it wrong, admit it, confess it, and make it right. But remember that to follow Christ is to take up a cross, a sign of humiliation and suffering.

Read Full Article

Discerning the Lord’s Will (The Continuing Adventures of Jesus #38) (KC)

Joshua Edgren on

INTRODUCTION

How do you know what the will of God is for you? We pray that God’s “will” would be done on earth as it is in heaven, but we have many choices to make, some obviously significant and every choice momentous.

Paul said that he was compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem (Acts 19:21, 20:22), and yet, the same Spirit filled disciples urging Paul not to go (Acts 21:4, 11). Does God do this regularly? Does God send mixed signals?

God is not trying to trick anyone, but He does test us. The Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted (Mk. 1:12). This was not so that Jesus would fail, but so He would succeed. Christians must trust and obey God’s clear Word, and then we trust His providence in the gifts, opportunities, and desires He gives us.

The Text: “And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara…” (Acts 21:1-14).

SUMMARY OF THE TEXT

After leaving the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul’s entourage sailed along the coast of southwest Asia Minor, until they came to Syria (Acts 21:1-3). While there for seven days, the disciples, by the Holy Spirit, warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem before sending him on his way with prayers (Acts 21:4-6). Sailing south along the coast of Palestine, they came to Caesarea and stayed with Philip, one of the seven, who had four faithful daughters (Acts 21:7-9). While there, the prophet Agabus, foretold that Paul would be arrested in Jerusalem, and everyone tried to dissuade Paul from going (Acts 21:10-12). But while Paul felt the emotional force of their pleas, he was unmoved and ready to die if necessary, and the brothers committed him to the will of the Lord (Acts 21:13-14).

THE WILL OF GOD

How did Paul know what the will of God was? We may not be able to answer exhaustively, but we can have a basic understanding of how God wants us to discern His will. Theologians commonly distinguish between the “decretive will” of God and the “preceptive will” of God. The decretive will is what God has decreed will come to pass before all time (Gen. 1:3, Is. 46:10, Eph. 1:11); His preceptive will is what God has revealed is good and right for His creatures to do (cf. His law, Ex. 20, Dt. 5). So it is God’s preceptive will for all men to repent of their sins and obey God’s law, but regardless of whether they do or not, God works all things together for good for those who love Him (Rom. 8, Gen. 50:20). So while we cannot know God’s ultimate decretive will, His preceptive will (His law and gospel) is the central revelation of His will for us (1 Thess. 4:1-7).

DISCERNING THE WILL OF GOD

So, when you’re trying to determine God’s will, begin by asking: is it lawful/moral? If not, it is not the will of God. It is not the will of God for you to marry an unbeliever, to disobey your parents, or cheat or steal. These moral obligations also include providing for your family, your parents, and having a church community. You would need a clear indication from God that a higher duty is requiring you to set aside one of those duties (e.g. a boss or parent or pastor asking you to sin).

If it is lawful, then the next questions would be: What are your abilities, opportunities, and desires? You may have the ability and desire, but no opportunity. You may have the opportunity, but no ability or desire. As it is sometimes said, “the need is not necessarily the call.” Many orphans need to be adopted, many unreached peoples need to be evangelized, but the need is not necessarily the call. But if you have an opportunity and the ability, sometimes the will of God comes down to what you really want to do. On the other hand, as Jonah learned the hard way, sometimes the need amounts to a command and it doesn’t matter what you want to do (e.g. the Good Samaritan). Also, remember that wisdom is found in the multitude of counselors, and at the same time, you can’t just go along with the multitude (Ex. 23:2).

FACE TOWARD JERUSALEM

Later, Paul will explain that he came to Jerusalem to bring alms and offerings (Acts 24:17). While there may have been other factors at work, it appears that Paul was very concerned to bring his entourage from the new churches in Greece with their offerings to Jerusalem. He knew the risks involved full well, but he believed that this was what was most needful, perhaps particularly for the unity of the Jewish and Gentile churches.

It also continues the pattern of the apostles imitating Jesus, “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Lk. 9:51). And just as Peter wanted to insist that Jesus not go (Mk. 8:31ff), Paul faced similar resistance, testing his resolve. And so we can expect similar testing, and while it can occasionally be wise to double check our decisions, our general instinct ought to be “not to doubt in the dark what we knew in the light.” If we are walking in the Light, confessing our sins and forgiving one another, while God does test us, He does not trick us.

APPLICATIONS

Safety is Not the Highest Good: Our God plays with death and dragons. Wisdom is not reckless, but it is ambitious and courageous. By faith some overcame armies; and by faith some were stoned and sawn in two (Heb. 11). And all of them obtained a good report. Winning and victory are found in obedience to the Lord, not necessarily surviving.

Parents, beware of making safety the highest good. Obedience is the highest good, and obedience often requires selfless courage, danger, and even harm. Paul was prepared to go to prison and die if necessary for the name of Jesus. Wives, beware tempting husbands or children to be unfaithful by your fear of harm. Better the obedience of Christ (dying at 33), than a long life of grieving His Spirit.

Stick to Your Near and Clear Duties: “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (Mt. 6:33). “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Ps. 37:4). And this includes keeping your word/vows/covenants (Ps. 15:4). This is how God ordinarily shows us His will.

Read Full Article