Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the Law. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. (Acts 21:24-26)
With the best of intentions and possibly even the guidance of God who foreknew the result and events to come, the Jerusalem leaders attempted to appease the Jewish believers instead of instructing them and correcting them in what Paul had done and said throughout the provinces on his journeys. The teaching moment they had, to instruct that the Law, though not done away with but fulfilled, was nothing and could not save anyone, was missed and instead an effort to make Paul look and act more Jewish was made. This action led to non-Christian Jews, seeing Paul in the temple for the offering, to assume he was there with his Gentile friends and co-laborers in the Jewish portion of the Temple. This assumption, and zealous riot for the sanctity of their temple which followed their accusation, not only brought the whole temple into an uproar but the city as well. The riot instigated charges against Paul by both Jewish and Roman authorities which would lead Paul to Rome. God was at work even in the misguided efforts of the elders in Jerusalem.
There are times that despite all our good intentions, the results we desire are not the results we receive. Often God intervenes because of His plans and purposes, that though not contrary to ours in every case, have a different path to the same outcome, or a different outcome than we might have sought. Everything God does or allows is for our growth and His glory, once we are His child by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. For those who don’t know Him He works things to bring you to Himself and reconcile you to Him through His Son. He desires that all men repent and once born again that we grow to be more like Him. Paul, though he experienced trials and tribulations in his journey from Jerusalem to Rome, knew that even with false accusations against him, God was still in control. He could, and did, trust that even when those who opposed him spoke out against God that he would end up where God wanted him to be. We too can trust Him to guide our steps and know what is best, not just in the big decisions but also in the seemingly small choices we make.
God wants us to trust His plan and He 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