Being Bold to Speak the Truth
Scripture Passage: Acts 26:24-32 (NASB)
24 While Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 But Paul *said, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with truthful and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you are going to persuade me to make a Christian of myself.” 29 And Paul said, “I would wish to God that even in a short or long time not only you, but also all who hear me this day would become such as I myself am, except for these chains.”
30 The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone out, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything deserving death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
SUMMARY
While Paul was giving his testimony, Festus said out loud to Paul that he is out of his mind, that his great learning is driving him insane. Paul responds that he is not out of mind but is speaking the truth and rational words. Paul addresses King Agrippa and asks if he believed the Prophets and Agrippa replies back to Paul asking if he is trying to convince him to become Christian in such a short time. Paul replied to him saying he wishes all people would become like him except for the chains. The king, governor, and Bernice all get up and walk out talking about Paul, of his innocence and that he could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
Paul is a man of great learning as Festus had said. Paul had much knowledge in the Greek literature, a former student of Gamaliel, and educated as pharisee. To have arrived at this conclusion to place his hope in Jesus’ suffering and resurrection after Paul’s great learning and education may seem to an outsider to be irrational. Apostle Paul could have been someone mainstream, accepted by the authorities of Greek culture as well as Jewish religious leaders, but had chosen to stand up for the truth, in doing so risked everything he had including his own life.
Lately, I have been thinking about persecution and suffering of Christians. I sometimes hesitate to share the gospel because I know persecution is in the future for Christians who choose to live a godly life and proclaim the gospel. I read about Christians who suffer for their beliefs in America, China, and all the way to North Korea. Being a Christian means sacrifice and hardship, but it is worth it. “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Pillippians 3:8-9) I meditated on the person of Jesus, our savior, messiah, our bridegroom, the beauty of His person, His perfect character, His perfect love, His joy everlasting, His passion, and love we do not deserve. As He had said to Abrahram “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1 KJV) The person of Jesus is our great reward. How unworthy we are of Him! How beautiful, powerful, awesome and wonderful He is! How he loves us! I meditated on Him being our bridegroom, anticipating, and waiting for His bride He paid for with His blood! Compared to Him, our pride, our possessions, and pleasures are only rubbish. Nothing compares to Him!
APPLICATION
I should not feel sorry for Christians who are being persecuted. Paul was in chains but was boldly proclaiming the gospel. We have a treasure that is worth everything we have. “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells everything that he has, and buys that field. (Mathew 13:44) Jesus is the treasure we shall sell everything to buy. Father had not only created us but redeemed us when we were yet sinners. Our suffering here on earth may only last a moment but our eternity with the most wonderful being in the world will last forever and ever.
I must no longer be shy about sharing the gospel and share the gospel with anybody and everybody. Agrippa and Bernice, the incestuous couple was an unlikely canditate to receive the gospel, but Paul shared his testimony even with the worst of the sinners. I shall be no longer ashamed of the gospel and believe in the power of the gospel to bring salvation.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father! How awesome and wonderful You are for sending Your one and only son to die for us when we were yet sinners! I repent for being afraid to share the gospel fearing what others will think or how they will respond. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit so I may be bold in witnessing to others about Jesus. Help me to know what to say and make use of every opportunity. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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