My 2025 Theme Verses: Ezra 7:10 (ESV) For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. Daniel 1:8 (ESV) But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
If we knew about the suffering would we still do it, or try to avoid it? Acts 21 & 22
Agabus, a prophet, takes Paul's belt, binds his hands and feet with it and says, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who ownes this belt and deliver him into the hnads of the Gentiles'". (Acts 21:10-12).
Imagine this scene in the early church. God has provided the church with a spokesperson, who will never be matched in Christian history. Not Calvin, not Luther, not Spurgeon; no one will match what Paul does for the church. Author, speaker, motivator and, on the side, tent maker - paying his own way through life. A notable profit stands up in the midst of them and predicts that Paul will be bound and taken captive by Jews and handed over to Gentiles, assuming to die. Ths "prophecy" comes from The Holy Spirit: God Himself. If you knew of suffering and pain that was to come would you attempt to avoid it or walk into it? If you knew the pain and suffering of a future health problem or a domestic problem or a financial problem, what would you do? Would you, like Paul, say, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (21:13) Paul, knowing he was to suffer for Christ, move forward and the rest gave in to the "will of the Lord." (21:14). Like Christ, Paul was giving the insight into both his future life and his death and he did not stop his mission. Christ, in the garden prayed so hard blood droped like tears from his forhead. Christ knew the suffering and agony He must endure for our salvation and He went the way of the cross. Paul, through a prophet, hears the agony he will endure for Christ and he moved forward. You and I hear, or experience agony for Christ, and we ... ? We bail! We stop moving! We take a right turn! We think when we get into suffering it can't be God's will. Yet, it is God who willed it! Are we as committed to being like Christ as Paul? Are we committed to moving ahead, even after knowing God's will that we will suffer for it? God promised us blessing but also said we would suffer for Christ. Are you will to embrace that aspect of Christianity?
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