KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Monday, November 21, 2017
Chapters: Acts 9-10
Message: The Judge Of The Quick And Dead
Hello My Friend,
As Christians one thing we have to get use to is Jesus bringing us out of our comfort zone and into the lions den so to speak. We are disciples first no matter where we are, and that means when Jesus commands us to tell someone about Him there is no going around it, we may not know or even like the person He sends us to, but we do not have to because the Holy Spirit will talk us through. We are all sinners, and since Jesus died for all He never denies anyone the opportunity to be saved. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” – I Thessalonians 1:15-16.
I have to say that sometimes God will use some wicked people to judge His people in order to get them to see Jesus and turn to Him, more than anything He wants all to be saved, what better way to teach someone about salvation than to use someone who was once wicked. It was no surprise that God would save anyone regardless of their race as we read throughout the Old Testament of the many Gentiles who were saved. Saul, a Pharisee, did like any other person who is faithful to their religion, he defended it, and if that meant he was going to persecute the ones who broke the law he followed through. He gladly offered to search out, arrest, and bring these lawbreakers back to Jerusalem to be prosecuted. While on his way to Damascus he received a visit.
“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” – Acts 9:1-6.
“he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” Saul thought he was doing the right thing by going after these lawbreakers, but Jesus saw something in him that no one else saw, a soul that needed to be saved. He knew once He spoke to Saul that he would not only receive Him, but be a witness to bring others to Him as well. Would Saul (Paul) suffer for what he had done to Christians out of ignorance? Yes, he would, but that suffering would be used to bring others to Christ. We learn of this through another man, Ananias, Jesus used him to preach the Gospel to Saul, and He it did it in a strange way, you see, Jesus had blinded Saul.
“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” – Acts 9:10-17.
“I have heard by many of this man,” Ananias did like we all do when Jesus tells us that we need to the wicked about salvation, he cringed and literally reminds Jesus that this man persecuted Christians and he wants him to help him. You see, while we see the outside, Jesus sees the heart, and that is what Jesus was looking at, not his appearance or past. Now, while God accepted anyone, regardless of their race or the time in which they were around (before Christianity), at first the apostles and disciples who preached the Gospel pretty much stayed within the confinements of the Jewish population, but God was about to change all that. God used a dream and a saved Roman soldier, named Cornelius to show Peter that the Gospel of Christ eliminated the need for Jewish customs held under the Law, and that salvation was given to all who believe, not just the Jews.
“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,” – Acts 10:9-17.
“What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” God was referring to the Gentiles, whom the Jews saw as common and unclean. Jesus cleanses the unclean once we are saved, it does not matter what race, religion, or nation we belong to, if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He died a sinless death to save us from our sins, and receive Him by grace than we are no longer common. Peter realizes this when he spoke to Cornelius.
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” – Acts 10:34-43.
“But in every nation he that feareth him,” Jesus did not die on the cross for one group of people, He died for all, whether we choose to believe that or not is our own choice, but it is the truth. Those who believe in Him and ask Him to save them receive everlasting life. There is only one doctrine for the Christian, and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no other way to heaven, and whether you believe in God or not, there is no escape from the judgment faced for sin, including the sin of unbelief, but it is for those whom do believe. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:7,8.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” – Acts 9:15-16.
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for willingly giving Yourself as payment for the debt I owe for my sins, and thank You for seeing some faith in me. Lord, I do not know why You have chosen me to be one to reach the lost, but I do know that You will be with me, guiding me along the way. Give me Your power, strength, and wisdom to know how to discern false doctrine, and let me know how to explain the truth to others, with boldness, having compassion on them as well. Keep me looking to You when I am tired and weary, and help me to get up when I feel like giving up the fight. In Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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