Acts 10
The risk is real, and the Gospel is worth the risk! Paul had an understanding that I think is very important. Jesus has given him a second chance. Jesus died on the cross for Paul and for all people. Jesus has given everything for Paul! Paul understands that he must be willing not only to be bound for Jesus and the gospel news but also to die as well. This is not the only time we see this kind of thinking from Paul. We see it in Philippians as well, when he talks about for him to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil 1:21)! The prophet Agabus has come to let Paul know that if he goes to Jerusalem, he will be bound. Paul goes into Jerusalem with an understanding of what is about to happen to him. He does not shy away! He does not wait and see if things are going to change. He does not let fear overcome him or the mission he has set out to do. He does not allow others to dictate what he knows is the right thing for him to do. Paul goes to Jerusalem. He also uses this moment to rebuke and teach his followers. He reminds them of his resolve and the resolve they all must have for Jesus and the gospel. They realize that Paul is firm on this and say, “The Lord’s will be done.” Paul will not turn away. Something like this always gets me fired up when I read it. Paul is so Passionate! We have shirts here at Emmanuel that read “Passionate Disciple,” but to have the same kind of resolve that Paul has takes some real passion about Jesus. Ask yourself what it is that you are willing to go through for the gospel. Paul was ready to walk into the lion's den, knowing that this was what God had for him. He did not shy away from Jerusalem or the pushback he would face, because that was what God had for him. There were people there whom Jesus loved and died for, and they needed to hear it! Paul loved Jesus more than comfort and was ready to put himself in uncomfortable circumstances without asking “why God,” but understanding that it was God’s will to be done. What is it that you are willing to go through for the gospel of Jesus? How uncomfortable are you willing to be if it means that you can show the love of Jesus to someone? Are you a passionate disciple like Paul? The risk is real, and the Gospel is worth the risk!
The risk is real, and the Gospel is worth the risk! Paul had an understanding that I think is very important. Jesus has given him a second chance. Jesus died on the cross for Paul and for all people. Jesus has given everything for Paul! Paul understands that he must be willing not only to be bound for Jesus and the gospel news but also to die as well. This is not the only time we see this kind of thinking from Paul. We see it in Philippians as well, when he talks about for him to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil 1:21)! The prophet Agabus has come to let Paul know that if he goes to Jerusalem, he will be bound. Paul goes into Jerusalem with an understanding of what is about to happen to him. He does not shy away! He does not wait and see if things are going to change. He does not let fear overcome him or the mission he has set out to do. He does not allow others to dictate what he knows is the right thing for him to do. Paul goes to Jerusalem. He also uses this moment to rebuke and teach his followers. He reminds them of his resolve and the resolve they all must have for Jesus and the gospel. They realize that Paul is firm on this and say, “The Lord’s will be done.” Paul will not turn away. Something like this always gets me fired up when I read it. Paul is so Passionate! We have shirts here at Emmanuel that read “Passionate Disciple,” but to have the same kind of resolve that Paul has takes some real passion about Jesus. Ask yourself what it is that you are willing to go through for the gospel. Paul was ready to walk into the lion's den, knowing that this was what God had for him. He did not shy away from Jerusalem or the pushback he would face, because that was what God had for him. There were people there whom Jesus loved and died for, and they needed to hear it! Paul loved Jesus more than comfort and was ready to put himself in uncomfortable circumstances without asking “why God,” but understanding that it was God’s will to be done. What is it that you are willing to go through for the gospel of Jesus? How uncomfortable are you willing to be if it means that you can show the love of Jesus to someone? Are you a passionate disciple like Paul? The risk is real, and the Gospel is worth the risk!
Posted in Devotional