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Paul on Trial - Acts 24
Paul on Trial - Acts 24
Accused of being a ‘real pest’ (vs. 5 ESV), he only admitted to being part of what they called a ‘sect’, and in that way he served God (vs. 14).
Your relationship with God is really between YOU and HIM. Other people may present problems for you. Circumstances may prove difficult. But your relationship with God is not dependent upon such things. Here Paul is under arrest for false charges. He is being pressured by a corrupt governor to ‘bribe his way out of trouble’. Many people would become angry with God and quit. Paul had learned, in whatever situation of life, to be content; content to continue serving God (Phil. 4:11). Besides, what does quitting accomplish? Do we think that the unfaithful don’t suffer? Do we think that the unfaithful don’t get mistreated? If we serve God without suffering and persecution: well and good. If we serve God amidst persecution and suffering: good. Bottom line: Serve God.
Such service of God is undergirded because of one’s trust in God. Hence he served, “Believing ALL that is written in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets”. This is more than the intellectual belief that such is true; it involves your trust in God who revealed these things. He is FAITHFUL. His word does not ‘return void’ but accomplishes HIS purposes.
In particular such promises are fulfilled in Christ. Jesus himself said to his disciples: "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Luke continues: "Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” (Luke 24:44–46).
Such trust in God produces hope, even in the midst of trials and persecution. In particular, Paul had hope that “there will be a resurrection”. Not just a resurrection of the righteous wherein they are comforted and blessed, but also a resurrection of the wicked. Hence a resurrection of "BOTH the righteous and the wicked.” Paul could write to the Thessalonians who were being persecuted for their faith that there would be a just recompense of retribution to those who were persecuting God’s people (2Thess. 1:5-9).
Jesus promised that He would return and that at His voice, all who are dead will arise. This became foundational to the faith of Paul (1 Thess. 4:13-18 and 1 Cor. 15). We shall ALL stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive the things done in the flesh, whether good or evil (2Cor. 5:10). Be not deceived, what a man sows is what he will reap (Gal. 6:7).
In View of THIS”, writes Paul, "I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.” He would thus be doing his best to always do what he understood to be correct. Is that how you are living your life?
Hugh DeLong
