KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Chapters: Acts 23-25
Message: Being A Testimony For Christ
Hello My Friend,
Testimony; A solemn declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or proving some fact. As Christians, we may not physically see our Lord, Jesus Christ, but He surely is seen in the lives of those who walk with Him daily. When we first get saved we really have no idea the impact that Christ has upon our lives, but we discover that He turns our lives upside down, we really do become a new person. And when we do, we become testimonies, declarations of the living God living inside of us, and let me tell you, the world notices, and it will cause a great division between it and you, even family and friends. Why? We are no longer one of them. The truth is, we probably never were, but Chrsit confirmed that. I believe that even our dedication to Christ comes at the right time, I know when I first accepted Him into my heart I did not know what that meant, it took me a few years after before I understood and chose to dedicate my life to Him, and that was also when I understood that the reason I did not fit in with the world was because I never was one of them. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” – John 15:19.
Just recently a bomb went off in Times Square, it is sad to see all the terrorist attacks taking place all over the world, they kill or die for the cause of their god. Did you know that Christians are labeled as terrorists? The last time I checked no Christian went off killing people for the cause of Christ (unless it was some personal agenda, which had nothing to do with Him). There have been so many attacks in the past few years, they are a grave reminder that no one is safe anywhere, and that we need Christ more than ever. I case you haven’t noticed, there is a great attack on Christianity itself, there always has been, but it’s becoming more prominent as we near Christ’s return. In Paul’s days it was the unbelieving Jews that attacked the Christians, as he stands before the counsel he stood before both Sadducees and Pharisees to represent himself, his defense was his testimony.
“But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” – Acts 23:6-11.
“And the night following the Lord stood by him,” Here are two different religious groups divided among one another, both believed in God, but one did not believe in the resurrection, angels, or spirits. Both groups believed that Paul’s fate was in their hands, but little did they realize it was in the hands of Jesus. Jesus was with him the whole time and He was in control of Paul’s fate, not them. God is always in control of our fate, while He allows us to make our own choices some things are meant to be, and He will stop at nothing to see us accomplish the tasks He has given us. We are a testimony in that God will use any situation in our lives to be a testimony for Him. “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.” – II Corinthians 4:14-15.
The unbelieving Jews were determined to find someone who would testify against Paul so he could be put to death, they even made a vow not to eat until he was dead. However, no matter where Paul went God made it an appoint that he was able to speak in his defense, he never stopped professing that he followed God. Now, he stands before Felix the governor and gives his testimony.
“Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” – Acts 24:10-16.
“to have always a conscience void of offence toward God,” People are quick to judge us because we follow Christ, I do not know how many times I have heard someone say, “I thought you were a Christian.” when I do not do or agree with what they are doing. Do I have the right to condemn them? No. God will do that Himself. I do have a right to stand up for my actions. By the way, wrong actions cannot be justified by ignoring that they are wrong to begin with. Likewise, convincing ourselves that something we are doing wrong is right does not make it right either. Even though Felix believed that Paul did nothing wrong, because it pleased the Jews he kept him locked up, and he was there for two years.
“And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.” – Acts 24:22-27.
“willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.” Paul said, in one of his testimonies, that he came up to Jerusalem to bring money and offerings, Felix thought that since he had not been in Jerusalem that long he could get his friends and family to buy his freedom using that money. Since this plan did not work and he did not want to deal with the council, he left Paul in the jail. Being a testimony means knowing who God is, and as we grow closer to Him, living through the example of Christ, it is not being ashamed to proclaim Christ, even if that meant it could cost you your life. Now, with a new governor in office preparations were being made for another hearing, not to sentence him, but to figure out what to do with him, or rather to gratify their curiosity.
“And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.” – Acts 25:14,15,18-22.
“whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” Festus may have heard the stories of Jesus, but could not grasp the concept that a man could die and come back to life. The world, and sadly, many Christ based religions believe that He died, but not that He resurrected. We cannot be a testimony of Christ if we do not believe the Gospel, and that is the sinless death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Think about it, why would Christ die just to be the sacrifice when animals were enough? This is the Gospel we need to believe, anything else and we are not a testimony of Christ. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” – I Corinthians 15:14-17,22.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” – Acts 23:11.
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, It is sometimes hard to comprehend just what You did for us, and how easy it is for us to not only be saved from hell, but be one of Your own. As we grow closer to You we literally are transformed into something into the likeness of You. While we will never be perfect until we reach heaven or You return, and give us our new bodies, we do have You to guide and keep us faithful until You do. We are testimonies of what it is like to have the living God living inside of us, let us do what is pleasing to You, not live in fear of what man can do to us, but be the example You need us to be to reach others for You. In Your name, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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