Acts 25
May 13
It’s been more than 2 years since the Jews made their accusations against Paul. He’s under house arrest. Time after time the Romans find him innocent under the law. But they lack the political will to go against the Jews. How frustrating this must have been. The Jewish leaders just won’t give up. They are determined to push their agenda.
Society today is in a similar state. Factions try to wear us down with their agendas. 2 Timothy 3:2-4 tells us “ 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
In spite of his unfair treatment, Paul deliberately chooses to act in a Godly manner. He patiently continued to spread the good news. He wrote encouraging letters to fellow believers. We need to follow his example. He exhorts in 2 Corinthians 10:3 “though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does”. Be firm, not belligerent. Be loving, not proud Be kind, not conceited. Teach truth in love. We are called to remain holy in spite of what is going on around us. Above all, we need to deliberately choose to focus on things above. In Philippians 4:8-9 Paul tells us to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. And then to put it into practice.
-Annette Osborn
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How would you describe Festus from this chapter? How would you describe the Jewish leaders? How would you describe Paul?
- Have you are ever been faced with injustice against you? How did you respond?
- What do you admire about Paul?
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