While he answered for himself, Neither against the Law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. (Acts 25:8-11)
When Paul stood before Festus and responded to the accusations against him, he stated eloquently not only the charges from the Jews but also of matters of Roman law and his defense. Festus, though knowing he was not guilty and could have set him free, wondered if he would stand before Festus in Jerusalem. Having already been threatened there, and the trial moved because of the physical threat of violence against Paul, Paul had no choice but appeal to Caesar. He knew that God already had plans for him and he would arrive safely in Rome, but he would not tempt the Lord nor give the Jews further opportunity to accost him. He also knew that by Roman law he was not guilty and had no need of further trials, especially one with such a biased home court advantage as Jerusalem.
Though Paul had no need to do so, for he could have simply stated no and demanded the trial, knowing Festus was seeking favor of the Jews, he appealed to a higher authority. Regardless of the outcome and trusting God as the highest authority, Paul could put his earthly condition in the hands of the Roman system. He already knew from God that he would get to Rome, and do so bound so this simply fit into God’s plan for Paul. Paul trusted God to not only vindicate him on this earth but also justify Him in the next from man’s laws and God’s laws. He was already forgiven of the latter and not guilty of the former and the Judge of the whole earth would do right by Paul.
God’s people, when right and having broken none of man’s laws must trust God to work out the circumstances. We may appeal to the system when we know that we are not guilty and trust that God will work all things for good. No matter what we experience in this world, if it is not a consequence of our own lawlessness, for such things ought not to be, we can know that God is in control and He will bring us through all that has come our way. False accusations and the machinations of those of this world who oppose God will not stand in the end for our God is victorious and will accomplish in us and through us His plans for His people. While we are not to tempt God in response to the world and we should be prepared in this life, wise as serpents but harmless as doves, we can rest in Him for the outcome.
As we go through this world as strangers and pilgrims, God calls His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Though Paul had no need to do so, for he could have simply stated no and demanded the trial, knowing Festus was seeking favor of the Jews, he appealed to a higher authority. Regardless of the outcome and trusting God as the highest authority, Paul could put his earthly condition in the hands of the Roman system. He already knew from God that he would get to Rome, and do so bound so this simply fit into God’s plan for Paul. Paul trusted God to not only vindicate him on this earth but also justify Him in the next from man’s laws and God’s laws. He was already forgiven of the latter and not guilty of the former and the Judge of the whole earth would do right by Paul.
God’s people, when right and having broken none of man’s laws must trust God to work out the circumstances. We may appeal to the system when we know that we are not guilty and trust that God will work all things for good. No matter what we experience in this world, if it is not a consequence of our own lawlessness, for such things ought not to be, we can know that God is in control and He will bring us through all that has come our way. False accusations and the machinations of those of this world who oppose God will not stand in the end for our God is victorious and will accomplish in us and through us His plans for His people. While we are not to tempt God in response to the world and we should be prepared in this life, wise as serpents but harmless as doves, we can rest in Him for the outcome.
As we go through this world as strangers and pilgrims, God calls His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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