The religious leaders of Paul’s day had a legalistic view of religion, not a relationship with the living God. Much like many today, they had rules and regulations to go by and no one could keep all of those. So when Paul said he lived a life of good conscience before God in Acts 23:2, Ananias commanded those nearby Paul to strike him because he did not understand or agree that it was even possible to live one’s life in clear conscience with God; but Paul knew something deeper. He knew his position in Christ! Living our lives in clear conscience with God - walking in the righteousness of God in Christ, can sometimes challenge or convict others to a point they perceive themselves judged and feel the need to lash out or attack the one they perceive to be judging them.
As Paul faced challenge after challenge in these chapters, we can see his strength in knowing who he was in Christ and being led by the Holy Spirit. He knew his calling and mandate to share the gospel with both Jew and Gentile as he testified in Acts 26:16-20. Because he knew his position in Christ and the calling on His life he could state, “ …none of those things (life circumstances) move me.” (Acts 20:24). We see all through the epistles where he encourages the churches and prays for them to know their position with Christ. If we know our position in Christ we cannot be ruled by religion and can walk in God’s plan of freedom for us today.
Most of us probably have not had a personal visitation from Jesus as Paul did, but as we read our Bible, we will receive promptings in our spirit from the Holy Spirit as to where we are to go and what we are to do for God. He will also teach us who we are in Christ. Knowing our position in Christ will strengthen and prepare us for places we may not even expect or understand ourselves; but God will open doors for us to minister light and life to those who would otherwise never hear the gospel of Christ.
Paul was able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the great grandson of the very King Herod who attempted to find and kill “the baby king” Jesus! As I looked into this, the lineage of those attempting to stop the gospel was generations deep! Paul was in the right place at the right time when he was given an audience with King Agrippa and his sister Bernice who had come to Caesarea to visit Festus.
The choice to step through those open doors is ours. Who knows with whom we may gain an audience! Let’s live a life of clear conscience and take the step or maybe it is a leap of faith to share the gospel in some places that may seem not quite so welcoming. This does not have to be prison or a life-threatening shipwreck, it could simply be a workplace, neighbourhood, school - just step out.
It is my prayer that as we read these chapters together this week, we will each be challenged to discover or renew our strength daily in our knowing who we are in Christ and gain a new determination to fulfill our calling: to share the light of the gospel with those who do not know Jesus as Saviour and Lord!
Acts 26:18 (KJV)
To open their eyes to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in (me) Christ.”
Dawn Adams
Missionary
GoChurch Beirut