Closer Day By Day

Bible Passage:  Acts 25

Reading today’s passage, together with the last few chapters and the chapters ahead, it almost feels like reading a John Grishim lawyer novel.  Except this was definitely more interesting for me as there is much to learn from Paul on how we can defend and stand up for our faith before kings, gentiles and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15).

In the Katong Home Fellowship, we had a thought provoking discussion as to why was there 3 separate and almost similar recordings of Paul’s conversion - we have read it previously in Acts 9 and Acts 22 and will reading the last one tomorrow in Acts 26.

In chapter 25, Felix was replaced by a new governor Festus who seemed determined to actually resolve the vexing case of Paul.  We read how just 3 days after his appointment, he spent 8 to 10 days with the Jewish leaders and then convened court for them to present their case against Paul.  As before, their accusations could not be proven (despite have 2 years to fabricate an air tight case against Paul).

Paul appealed to Caesar and hence will be sent to Rome.  But before he left… there was a small cases of having to meet King Agripa - puppet king of Israel - and his wife (we will read more about this tomorrow).

Have You Ever Been Hated?

The Jewish leaders must have really hated Paul.  2 years has passed since Paul was arrested in Chapter 24 and yet, the venomous anger of the Jewish leader still has not abated and were determined to have Paul killed.

Why do some people hate believers?  Have you ever been hated because of your belief in Jesus and the Chuch?

I must admit I have never been in Paul’s situation before and wonder is this a blessing or is this not a blessing?

When I read John 15:18-25…

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

and I look at the lack of ‘persecution’ in my life… I wonder if I am doing the right things in the right way….

Then I read Luke 6:26…

Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Hmmm….. although I cannot claim that everyone speaks well of me… but I believe that the good that is spoken of me far outweighs the bad.

So what do I make of it?

I am not sure of your situation either.  But not many of us suffer on account of our faith.  While this is something we are most thankful for, we must also be prepared to face the day that because of our faith, people will hate us.

During the Katong Hone Fellowship, a brother told me that one of his good friends was getting married.  This friend of his was not our church member and he was marrying a non Christian.  His friend asked our brother what he thought about it and when our brother shared the biblical view that it was not right to marry an unbeliever, his friend got rather offended and showed him a cold shoulder.

Now this may not seem like persecution but we must know that because of our faith… one day, we will surely be hated by the world… because Jesus Himself said so.

So what are we to do then?

Paul’s attitude, actions, speech and faith gives us very good examples to follow.

But I am also encouraged by what Jesus said in John 15:26-27…

“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

After telling us that we will surely face persecution, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Truth - to help us.  And with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can continue to be faithful witnesses of His… despite the hatred of the world for us.

And towards those who hate us and speak evil of us?  Luke 6:27-35…

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Paul’s love for his fellow country men was clearly evident despite their hatred for him.  He really tried many times to make sure that they get to hear the message of Jesus.

Let’s keep this in mind as we go through life and do not be surprised if the world hates us for our belief.  But be prepared to respond in the way Paul did and the way Jesus wants us to… with Love!