Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - 3:55 pm

I read Acts 24-26 today, and in each chapter Paul is making a defense before another ruler. He doesn't hide the truth, but fearlessly declares both his own testimony and the good news that is found in Jesus. He makes his point clearly to each ruler, and they react differently as the truth strikes them. Felix reacts out of fear in Acts 24:25, "As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.' " How often do we respond the very same way to God when we feel uncomfortable with what He asks of us? How often, also, do we fear that others will react this way, and so we try to bribe them into listening to us by altering the message, or only saying what we think they want to hear? Felix was hoping for a bribe from Paul, but it wouldn't have prepared him to accept Jesus as Lord. In Acts 25, Paul speaks before Festus, whose response shows a lack of understanding, or perhaps a lack of willingness to understand. He puts the question of Paul and his story to someone else, setting aside his responsibility to the truth and giving way to the interpretation of those he considers wiser, without learning anything from them for himself. He responds with uneducated mockery in Acts 26:24, "At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. 'You are out of your mind, Paul!' he shouted. 'Your great learning is driving you insane.' " How often these days do people blindly point to things that have been said by the so-called brilliant minds of the world as their excuse for calling us insane for believing in a God who they can't begin to understand? How quick are we, in turn, to call insane those things of God that don't fit into our tiny view of who He is? In Acts 26, King Agrippa's response seems to be made not in fear, and not in ignorance, but in stubborn complacency. His response is found in verse 28, "Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?' " The unspoken thought I hear is, "My life is comfortable the way it is, and I'm not ready to give up control." The more we acknowledge the truth of God's way, the more this becomes the only objection we can hold onto. How do we respond to this last, obstinate wall that people throw up between themselves and God? With patience, love and truth, trusting God to draw them to Himself in His timing. Paul's response is found in Acts 26:29, "Paul replied, 'Short time or long - I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.' " Let us not put obstacles between us and the God who loves us, and let us pray that He would give us the right words to speak before those who do put up those obstacles in their own lives, so that we can speak the truth in love, and that they would have every opportunity to be reconciled with God as well.