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Do you believe that God can use anyone to bring glory to his name? I do. Can a man who stole a piece of candy as a small child bring honor to God? Can a woman who left her husband for another man possibly bring glory to God? Yes indeed. He used Paul, a man who according to Acts 26 was convinced that he needed to do whatever possible to go against the name of Jesus. He was the true definition of a Pharisee.
Paul declared, “On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.” (Acts 26:10-11)
Can you imagine? One person put that much energy into hating those that loved Jesus. That is a lot of power from just one person filled with malice toward the Son of God. He was responsible for the deaths of many who picked up their cross daily to announce their faith in the Messiah. One of those men was Stephen, who in Acts 6:5 was known as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Acts 22:20 tells us that Paul just stood there while Stephen was being killed, guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.
Paul committed hideous crimes and yet God used him in a big, big way. But just like the many people Paul persecuted, he too received the same treatment. After his conversion, in which a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazed around him, Paul set out to open the eyes of the Gentiles and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins. (v.18)
Festus needed a second opinion before sending Paul’s case before Caesar. There were no charges that could stick and so King Agrippa, a man who was often consulted by the Romans on religious matters, was brought in. Paul was ready to defend himself and the message Jesus had commanded him to preach.
Put yourself in the shoes of King Agrippa for a moment. You believe in God, you are deeply familiar with religion, but you don’t believe the truth about Jesus. Or perhaps you believe, but out of desperation to keep your high-powered reputation, you won’t admit it. This man stands in front of you and says that Jesus appeared to him telling him that he would now be a witness and a servant, sent out to turn people from darkness to light, even after the horrible crimes he had committed. Would you believe him, or shake your head in disbelief?
As Paul went on, Festus silenced him saying, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane.” (v.24) Had Paul’s education and knowledge of the Scriptures made him crazy? To those who didn’t believe in Jesus it most certainly looked that way. Maybe you’re familiar with today’s term for someone who lives and breathes the Scriptures as a “Bible Thumper”.
The Expositor’s Commentary says, “Down through the ages Festus’ response has been echoed by men and women too trapped by the neutral to be open to the supernatural, too confined by the “practical” to care about life everlasting.
Paul had been sitting in prison for two years waiting for a time such as this; a time he could defend himself, but more importantly, to preach the very message of Christ that he once despised. He was done with practicality. We as Christians today are called to do the same. We are chosen, just as Christ was before us to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 42:7) We are called to be a light.
Does that sound like our world today? Are we opening blind eyes or are we blinded ourselves? Are we too caught up in deciding what to record on the DVR tonight that we forget that at this very moment the supernatural is happening all around us? A spiritual battle is taking place for our very lives.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
Can we stop being practical and dig into the everlasting? Here is what I know: I am a sinner, charged and convicted of my horrible sins. A sin is a sin, and like Paul, I deserve punishment for the things that I have done. But I have a king who took my place. I have a Savior, whom instead of letting me be condemned of my guilt gave his very life for me.
So what do I do now? Keep quiet and be practical so people won’t think I’ve gone crazy? Or do I proclaim the gospel of Jesus with no fear? I choose to say goodbye to society’s view of normal and proclaim freedom for the captives. (Isaiah 61:1)
Paul suffered. He was beaten. He was stoned. He was murdered. He was persecuted for the message of our Savior. I desire to die to myself daily, pick up my cross and do the same, whether persecution comes my way or not. Let us step out of the multitude and into discipleship. Practical is out; supernatural is in. Just call me a Jesus Freak – Paul was.
 
 

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