December 3
Acts 21:37-23:35
I can’t say that we are living in the most divided times ever, but in my sixty plus years on this earth, they certainly are. There seems to be no ability for peace when individuals disagree on politics, faith, and many social issues from the response to the virus to “white privilege”, etc. Interestingly, many dismiss the concept of evil, and the extent that people will go to further their godless causes. Despite history revealing this over and over again, if you dare mention that there may be evil motives behind much of what we are witnessing, the accusatory finger points in your direction and you are labeled part of a conspiracy group. Can people in high positions be guilty of evil? Yes! Can there be people behind the scenes, whose names we might never know, who are pushing forth an agenda? Yes! Does this make you a conspiracy theorist? No! Evil exists. The historical record is full of such occurrences. Perhaps, rather than being pulled in by “knowledge” which is questionable at best, we should ground ourselves in God’s Word. With that as your basis of absolute truth, you can then step back and discern the times. Not being tossed around by the never ending voices, but quietly listening to the One Voice who can reveal truth.
Paul was doing well as he provided his personal testimony of coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ, until he mentioned a word of division that caused hatred, as we read in Acts 22:21-23, ““But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’” The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!” They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air. There was a bit more debate before we read in 23:10, “As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress.” Having failed at this attempt, hatred brought their actions to another tactic, as we read in 23:12-15, “The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty of them in the conspiracy. They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.” Did Paul deserve to die? No! Would the community have been aware that their respected religious leaders would have been capable of conspiratorial murder? No! But they were.
How did Paul not get swept away by discouragement, by fear, by the overwhelming hatred coming forth from his countrymen? We read in 23:1 “Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!” Paul kept a clear conscience by remaining in constant communication with God. Did he have to fear that this attempt on his life would succeed? No! We read in 23:11, “That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” Paul knew for a fact that he would one day get to Rome. Self-righteousness coupled with voices from the world blinds. Righteousness wrapped in Jesus Christ coupled with humble submission opens our eyes to discernment. If you find yourself afraid, confused, etc., it is time to go to the Prince of Peace for true peace.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: