“And when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, ‘This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.’” Acts 26:31
This verse is the testimony of people about the life of Apostle Paul. It also the conclusion of Paul’s pleading his case before King Agrippa and all who were present in the court. After boldly proclaiming the resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ, which was the very reason for his imprisonment. Paul remained steadfast and faithful to his calling. His desire was that everyone who heard him might understand the great plan of God, that the only way to escape His righteous judgment is through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul would never miss an opportunity to call all who listened to repentance and faith in the LORD Jesus Christ.
What stands out to me is that this was the same kind of verdict Pilate gave concerning our the LORD Jesus Christ. Though both were falsely accused and stood before earthly judges.
Pilate said,
“You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him.” – Luke 23:14–16
I am always astounded at how steadfast and determined Paul was in the calling of the LORD Jesus upon his life. His devotion never wavered, and his faith remained firm through every trial. One man can do so much when he fully lays his life at the feet of God. The apostle Paul accomplished so much because he walked closely with the LORD Jesus Christ. Every step he took, every word he spoke, and every hardship he faced showed that his life no longer belonged to him, it belonged to his LORD Jesus Christ.
Paul himself said,
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
People blamed Paul because of his faith and his deep convictions in the truth of the gospel. They accused him, mocked him, and imprisoned him. Yet through it all, his life reflected the life of his Lord and Master, the LORD Jesus Christ.
When Paul stood before Festus and King Agrippa, the only accusation they could make was that he preached “Jesus, who had died and whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” (Acts 25:19) That was his only “crime”, that he preached the risen Christ. And truly, that should be the only reason the world finds fault with us.
Jesus Himself said,
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
“If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20)
So I ask myself, and I ask you today. If we were to stand before the judges of this world, what would they find in us? Would they find compromise and fear, or would they see a faith so steadfast that the only thing they could accuse us of is belonging to Jesus? Would our lives be so blameless before God that the only charge against us would be our devotion to Him and our obedience to His Word
This is the challenge for everyone who claims that Jesus is Lord. We are all called not only to believe in Him but to follow Jesus. To live in such a way that our lives reflect His nature, His truth, and His love to the world. Our lives should shine with the light of the LORD Jesus Christ so brightly that it draws others toward Him, because they see the difference of our life in us.
John says that those who love the world do not have the love of God in them.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
He continues,
“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:16–17)
The world follows its own desires and rejects the truth of God. That is why the people of God are often misunderstood, mocked, and hated. The world should not love us, for friendship with the world is enmity with God.
As the Apostle James warns,
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
The world should hate us, misunderstand us, and falsely accuse us, that is the evidence that we are walking in the light of God’s. The enemy hates those who belong to the LORD Jesus Christ, because we carry the message of salvation and desire that all people hear the truth and be saved.
For the LORD Jesus says
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” (Matthew 5:11)
Let our faith and conduct be so pure before God that no true fault can be found in us, just as none was found in Paul, and none was found in our LORD Jesus Christ.
The words spoken about Paul became a testimony of his walk with Jesus. May the same be said of us, that our lives reflect the LORD Jesus Christ so clearly that even those who oppose us cannot deny His presence in us.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Amen.
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