"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
Acts 25:1-27 26
I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.” Acts 25:26-27 (NKJV)
Paul was on the hot seat. He was in a heap of trouble. The Jewish leadership was calling for his neck. But, by Roman law, they (the Jews) could not enforce a death sentence, so they brought him before the provincial governor and King Agrippa.
Luke, the author of Acts, goes into great detail describing the dialogue in this Roman court. Festus, the new governor, writes Agrippa outlining the plan. They determined to make a full examination of Paul.
Would you be ready for such an examination? They grilled Paul about what he believed, what he taught, and how he lived. In essence, they wanted to determine if Paul was "guilty" of being a disciple of Jesus.
If you were charged in a similar fashion, is there enough evidence against you? How would you give an answer to those who asked you a reason for the hope that is in you? (I Peter 3:15) Whether we know it or not, we are now already on the witness stand. The world is examining you to see if you are the real thing. May we always live as witnesses under full examination.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
Salvation in Full
"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
Acts 24:1-27
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment 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 (NKJV)
It is common these days to speak of SALVATION in a limited fashion. When we say that someone "got saved", we usually mean that they came to faith and experienced conversion wherein their sins are forgiven and they are born again. This is the BEGINNING of the Christian life.
Salvation, in the biblical sense, is far more comprehensive than just the event of initiation. There are three biblical words that describe the entire salvation experience. Those words are JUSTIFICATION, SANCTIFICATION, and GLORIFICATION. Paul spoke to Felix about "righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come." These three directly refer to the three parts of complete salvation.
JUSTIFICATION is the act of God in which He gives (imputes) RIGHTEOUSNESS to the believer. Justification comes only by faith. It is the work of God to give you new life. He regenerates your spirit and grants you a new identity in Christ.
SANCTIFICATION is the life-long process that begins at your justification. It is the process wherein you are progressively transformed into the likeness of Christ. Paul spoke of SELF-CONTROL. This does not mean that man accomplishes sanctification by his own will-power. Rather, sanctification is a COOPERATIVE act. God the Holy Spirit works in our mind, emotions, and will to enable us to cooperate with God in bringing our life under God's control.
GLORIFICATION is that great event at the Second Coming of Christ wherein our bodies will finally be transformed to become like His body. This, obviously, is the last JUDGMENT. No more sickness or sin. No more sorrow or pain. The old will be fully passed away and he new will be visible.
Paul spoke these great truths to Felix. Correspondingly, we speak today to our world of what the writer of Hebrews called "so great a salvation."
I might add one last word from today's passage: PROCRASTINATION. Felix procrastinated. He said, "Not now." "Maybe later." Are you procrastinating as he did? God offers us life - full life. Why would any of us ever want to wait?
Acts 24:1-27
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment 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 (NKJV)
It is common these days to speak of SALVATION in a limited fashion. When we say that someone "got saved", we usually mean that they came to faith and experienced conversion wherein their sins are forgiven and they are born again. This is the BEGINNING of the Christian life.
Salvation, in the biblical sense, is far more comprehensive than just the event of initiation. There are three biblical words that describe the entire salvation experience. Those words are JUSTIFICATION, SANCTIFICATION, and GLORIFICATION. Paul spoke to Felix about "righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come." These three directly refer to the three parts of complete salvation.
JUSTIFICATION is the act of God in which He gives (imputes) RIGHTEOUSNESS to the believer. Justification comes only by faith. It is the work of God to give you new life. He regenerates your spirit and grants you a new identity in Christ.
SANCTIFICATION is the life-long process that begins at your justification. It is the process wherein you are progressively transformed into the likeness of Christ. Paul spoke of SELF-CONTROL. This does not mean that man accomplishes sanctification by his own will-power. Rather, sanctification is a COOPERATIVE act. God the Holy Spirit works in our mind, emotions, and will to enable us to cooperate with God in bringing our life under God's control.
GLORIFICATION is that great event at the Second Coming of Christ wherein our bodies will finally be transformed to become like His body. This, obviously, is the last JUDGMENT. No more sickness or sin. No more sorrow or pain. The old will be fully passed away and he new will be visible.
Paul spoke these great truths to Felix. Correspondingly, we speak today to our world of what the writer of Hebrews called "so great a salvation."
I might add one last word from today's passage: PROCRASTINATION. Felix procrastinated. He said, "Not now." "Maybe later." Are you procrastinating as he did? God offers us life - full life. Why would any of us ever want to wait?
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Free from the Sentence of Death
"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
Acts 23:11-35
I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. Acts 23:29 (NKJV)
Many times we find in Scripture stories that have higher meaning than just the historic record. They speak to broader truths. Such is the case in the story of the plot to kill the Apostle Paul.
Forty men bound themselves with an oath to murder Paul. An assassination conspiracy was afoot. In process, Paul's nephew was strategically placed by God to uncover the plot and appeal to a higher authority - the governor.
So, here is the picture: Paul is under sentence of death for the breaking of the Law. However, appeal is made to a HIGHER AUTHORITY who then says that Paul is INNOCENT.
Paul, in his own personal experience, is living out our story. WE are law-breakers. We are guilty of violation of all the rules and regs laid out by Old Testament Law. By our violation, we are under sentence of death.
But Someone has gone to the HIGHER AUTHORITY - to God Himself. God, on the basis of Christ's intercession has then declared, "I find no fault. I find no guilt. I find no basis for this sentence of death."
This is the Gospel. We are free from the condemnation of the handwriting of ordinances against us. The HIGHER AUTHORITY has spoken. YOU ARE FREE.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
A Good Conscience
"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
Acts 22:17-23:10
Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” Acts 23:1 (NKJV)
This is an amazing statement that Paul makes. It is surely one of the keys to Paul's power and effectiveness in life and ministry. HE HAD A CLEAR CONSCIENCE.
This does not mean that Paul had never erred. He had, in fact, been a persecutor of the Church. It does not mean that he had always been instantly obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We all continually grow in our ability to hear from God. So what does it mean that Paul had lived "in all good conscience?"
Paul understood the meaning of grace. He understood what it meant to surrender. He knew that his life was hidden with Christ in God. He had learned to run to the Lord instantly to find all identity and direction. Therefore, he received continually the cleansing flow of grace. It is a level of connection to God.
Watchman Née, in his great book The Normal Christian Life, asks the question, "Is there anything God is asking of you that you are withholding from Him?" May we lived the surrendered, transparent life. It is a life in which we stay in the place of submission to God. It is where you can say, "I walk in all good conscience before God."
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Know, See, and Hear
"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
Acts 21:37-22:16
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. Acts 22:14-15 (NKJV)
There is nothing that takes the place of a personal encounter with the Living God. Such an encounter will change your life forever. We are transformed by our personal, face-to-face meeting with the Lord.
This is the birthright of all who know the Lord. We do not follow a set of rules or practices. We have not simply taken hold of a profound philosophy. We have entered into a powerful partnership with God Almighty.
How does this happen and what are the results? The Bible says that first off, HE HAS CHOSEN YOU. I will be the first to tell you that I do not understand the depth of this truth. I do not know WHY He chose me or HOW He chose me. I only know that somehow HE CHOSE ME! This is wonderful to consider.
But what has He chose me FOR? He has chosen me to KNOW HIS WILL, to SEE HIS FACE, and to HEAR HIS VOICE. This may sound like some kind of far-out mystical experience, but it is not. This is the territory of all who know their God. The will of God does not have to be a great mystery. If you commit your life to Him, He will take over and guide you. He is well able to take you where you need to be -- even if you don't understand the path. Being in the will of God is a FAITH matter. So, trust that He has led you to His perfect placement.
We can SEE the Lord. This is not, obviously, with our outward eyes, but rather with the eyes of faith. We behold Him as we worship and as we pray. We behold Him in the truth of His Word.
Lastly, we can HEAR His voice. People often ask how it is possible to hear the voice of the Lord. Rarely is His voice a booming blast in my head. Rarely is it so tangible or objective that I can take it in by my physical senses. Often it is the voice of my heart speaking to me as I consider God's ways. God's voice comes with comfort and authority confirming to Me that which leaps out to my from His Word.
It is this kind of relationship that speaks most clearly to our world. We are witnesses not of a teaching that we were taught. We are witnesse of that which we have seen and heard. Such a testimony is used by God to change our world. May it happen through each of us today!
Acts 21:37-22:16
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. Acts 22:14-15 (NKJV)
There is nothing that takes the place of a personal encounter with the Living God. Such an encounter will change your life forever. We are transformed by our personal, face-to-face meeting with the Lord.
This is the birthright of all who know the Lord. We do not follow a set of rules or practices. We have not simply taken hold of a profound philosophy. We have entered into a powerful partnership with God Almighty.
How does this happen and what are the results? The Bible says that first off, HE HAS CHOSEN YOU. I will be the first to tell you that I do not understand the depth of this truth. I do not know WHY He chose me or HOW He chose me. I only know that somehow HE CHOSE ME! This is wonderful to consider.
But what has He chose me FOR? He has chosen me to KNOW HIS WILL, to SEE HIS FACE, and to HEAR HIS VOICE. This may sound like some kind of far-out mystical experience, but it is not. This is the territory of all who know their God. The will of God does not have to be a great mystery. If you commit your life to Him, He will take over and guide you. He is well able to take you where you need to be -- even if you don't understand the path. Being in the will of God is a FAITH matter. So, trust that He has led you to His perfect placement.
We can SEE the Lord. This is not, obviously, with our outward eyes, but rather with the eyes of faith. We behold Him as we worship and as we pray. We behold Him in the truth of His Word.
Lastly, we can HEAR His voice. People often ask how it is possible to hear the voice of the Lord. Rarely is His voice a booming blast in my head. Rarely is it so tangible or objective that I can take it in by my physical senses. Often it is the voice of my heart speaking to me as I consider God's ways. God's voice comes with comfort and authority confirming to Me that which leaps out to my from His Word.
It is this kind of relationship that speaks most clearly to our world. We are witnesses not of a teaching that we were taught. We are witnesse of that which we have seen and heard. Such a testimony is used by God to change our world. May it happen through each of us today!
Monday, July 2, 2012
A Good Report
"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
Acts 21:18-36
19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. Acts 21:19-20a (NKJV)
Encouragement is vital to the human heart. The Bible has much to say about our need to encourage one another. Even in the midst of difficult times, you can find encouragement in God.
Paul seemed to go from one challenge to another. He was constantly in the midst of some sort of danger or controversy. It would have been easy for him to tell the long tales of how he had been abused, kicked around, beaten up, and lied about. And, for the most part, he would have been telling the truth.
When Paul met the brothers at Jerusalem, he gave a good report. He reported the great things God had been doing. He accented the advance of the Kingdom. He viewed his path in the light of how God was helping, not how the devil was hindering.
This is one of the keys to Paul's effectiveness. He never grew weary of the good things God was doing. He never fell into an outlook that saw the defeats for than the victories. Verse 19 says he told "in detail" what God was doing. That means he relished every part of the story. He delighted in the battle because the battle was the context of the VICTORY.
So, what is God doing in your life? Can you tell "in detail" the good things that are happening? Not only will your good report cause your friends to rejoice, it will bring glory to God, and it will replenish your own soul.
Acts 21:18-36
19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. Acts 21:19-20a (NKJV)
Encouragement is vital to the human heart. The Bible has much to say about our need to encourage one another. Even in the midst of difficult times, you can find encouragement in God.
Paul seemed to go from one challenge to another. He was constantly in the midst of some sort of danger or controversy. It would have been easy for him to tell the long tales of how he had been abused, kicked around, beaten up, and lied about. And, for the most part, he would have been telling the truth.
When Paul met the brothers at Jerusalem, he gave a good report. He reported the great things God had been doing. He accented the advance of the Kingdom. He viewed his path in the light of how God was helping, not how the devil was hindering.
This is one of the keys to Paul's effectiveness. He never grew weary of the good things God was doing. He never fell into an outlook that saw the defeats for than the victories. Verse 19 says he told "in detail" what God was doing. That means he relished every part of the story. He delighted in the battle because the battle was the context of the VICTORY.
So, what is God doing in your life? Can you tell "in detail" the good things that are happening? Not only will your good report cause your friends to rejoice, it will bring glory to God, and it will replenish your own soul.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Prophecy and the Will of God
"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
Acts 21:1-17
Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 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.” 14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” Acts 21:12-14 (NKJV)
We have two quite interesting examples today of personal prophetic words being given to the Apostle Paul. In both cases, it appears that the "word of the Lord" to Paul is "Don't go to Jerusalem!" Yet we find that Paul is resolute in his determination to fulfill that which he KNOWS to be God's will for him. Despite repeated warnings of danger, he continues his path toward difficulty at Jerusalem.
How can we fit this puzzle together? Here are some insights:
1) We never read where GOD explicitly tells Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Friends have strong words for him and vs. 4 says they spoke "through the Spirit." In vs. 11, Agabus simply tells Paul prophetically what awaits him. Friends took what they were hearing from God and put THEIR INTERPRETATION on it. Lesson: we need to be careful in prophetic ministry to speak only that which is really from God, but refrain from adding our own editorial perspective.
2) Rarely is prophetic ministry DIRECTIONAL. In other words, you should never do anything strictly because someone gave you a "word from God." Prophecy is almost always either PREPARATIONAL or CONFIRMATIONAL. God gives you words to prepare you for what's coming or to encourage and confirm you in what He has already told you. Lesson: always weigh prophetic words against that which God has already said to you and that which brings peace in your spirit.
3) Always stay true to what God HAS told you to do. God is not "on again/off again". He will guide you if you listen. Prophetic words are given to aid you and help you as you pursue God's good plans. Lesson: God is not confused.
You can walk in order and peace as you always remain open to the supernatural ways God can speak to you. In the final analysis, they all said "the will of God be done." That's what it's all about.
Acts 21:1-17
Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 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.” 14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” Acts 21:12-14 (NKJV)
We have two quite interesting examples today of personal prophetic words being given to the Apostle Paul. In both cases, it appears that the "word of the Lord" to Paul is "Don't go to Jerusalem!" Yet we find that Paul is resolute in his determination to fulfill that which he KNOWS to be God's will for him. Despite repeated warnings of danger, he continues his path toward difficulty at Jerusalem.
How can we fit this puzzle together? Here are some insights:
1) We never read where GOD explicitly tells Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Friends have strong words for him and vs. 4 says they spoke "through the Spirit." In vs. 11, Agabus simply tells Paul prophetically what awaits him. Friends took what they were hearing from God and put THEIR INTERPRETATION on it. Lesson: we need to be careful in prophetic ministry to speak only that which is really from God, but refrain from adding our own editorial perspective.
2) Rarely is prophetic ministry DIRECTIONAL. In other words, you should never do anything strictly because someone gave you a "word from God." Prophecy is almost always either PREPARATIONAL or CONFIRMATIONAL. God gives you words to prepare you for what's coming or to encourage and confirm you in what He has already told you. Lesson: always weigh prophetic words against that which God has already said to you and that which brings peace in your spirit.
3) Always stay true to what God HAS told you to do. God is not "on again/off again". He will guide you if you listen. Prophetic words are given to aid you and help you as you pursue God's good plans. Lesson: God is not confused.
You can walk in order and peace as you always remain open to the supernatural ways God can speak to you. In the final analysis, they all said "the will of God be done." That's what it's all about.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)