What Does God Want Me to Do?

Acts 24-26

In this next episode Paul is arrested by the Jewish leaders, and they conspire to put him to death because of their hatred of Paul and Christianity.  As we read the rest of the chapters of Acts the largest questions that stare at us are:

What is the relationship of what we want to do in life vs what God would have us do?

What does God do when we disobey His direction and do what we decide is the better course?

How much more could Paul have done for God if he were not arrested?

The Roman legion commander comes to Paul’s rescue because he claims to be a Roman citizen, which is true.  The commander realizes that Paul cannot get a fair trial of any kind in Jerusalem and sends him to Caesarea to the governor to be tried there in a Roman court.  The Jews have men also that have taken an oath to kill Paul and try to do it on the way.  When Paul is tried by the governor, there is no decision and then Felix listens to Paul but is hoping that Paul will bribe him to be set free.  

Acts 24:12-16(NLT) And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. ¹³ Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. ¹⁴ But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. ¹⁵ I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. ¹⁶ This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

What do you think about how Paul goes to Jerusalem and how he is now arrested and in great difficulties?

Acts 24:27 – 25:5(NLT) After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison. 1 Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, ² where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. ³ They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way). ⁴ But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon. ⁵ So he said, “Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.”

Acts 25:10-12 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. ¹¹ For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
  ¹² Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

Was this a good decision by Paul?

Acts 26:25-32 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. ²⁶ For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
²⁹ And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
³⁰ When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; ³¹ and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
³² Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

With my 20/20 hindsight I am shouting inside for Paul not to do what he did.  I want him to do the things that will get him released, not go in chains to Rome.  Easy for me to think now, but we also are guilty of doing the wrong things for the right reasons.  Good intentions and sincerity are not the way to do God’s calling.  Walking in the spirit every day in Christ will get us the correct results.  True good works are doing what God has prepared for you to do.

Love in Christ, Tom Siderius