Apostle Paul under Arrest.
We read in scripture that Apostle Paul did not listen to the Holy Spirit through the prophets and other believers telling him not to go to Jerusalem. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he was immediately arrested as a riot was brewing because of him. Then the Roman centurion released him to the high priests to settle their matter since Paul was a Roman citizen. But since it made the Pharisees and Sadducees angrier, Paul was sent away to another custody.
What is today’s point? Although the Holy Spirit tried to warn him from going to Jerusalem, God was still with him.
Acts 23:11 BSB “The following night, the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”
If Apostle Paul had still thought he was doing the right thing, this message may have appeared he was on the right track as the Lord continued to give prophecy.
When God made clothes for the first time out of animal skin with Adam and Eve, was it because they did right?
We must give deep thought to what is written for us. We can move in a direction that is not for us, but God will still be with us as He speaks instructions that have changed. He will still give grace.
The Apostle Paul said he was ready to give up his life for Christ, as the believers were warning him not to go to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:13 TPT “But Paul replied, “Why do you cry and break my heart with your tears? Don’t you know that I’m prepared not only to be imprisoned but to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the wonder of the name of our Lord Jesus?”
This sounds very noble, but was it God’s will that Paul’s ministry end at that time? Is this why mainstream Christianity has a saying that the books of Acts are still to continue?
We read about Moses striking the rock and losing his ability to enter the Promised Land. We read Elijah telling God he can go no further, and he was replaced by Elisha. We read that Apostle Paul went to Jerusalem when he was not supposed to. These patriarchs made it to heaven, but they had a mission and were deep in their mission as broken vessels.
Are you deep in your mission? Or are we still trying to come to full birth so you can run into a mission?
King Saul was deep in his mission, 40 years as king, but he committed suicide. High Priest Eli was deep in his mission as he died a very old man, but he fell backwards as his obese body added the momentum to fall on his head, hearing that his two boys had been killed by the enemy that ended his life. Judas Iscariot was with Jesus for the three years, and he was the one who had his own mission to betray our beloved Lord. Judas was with Jesus personally, eating and fellowshipping daily, but that was not enough to save him, as he committed suicide.
God’s love and grace are everlasting, but we need not assume or take salvation for granted. Remember, check and judge yourselves! We still may have many blind spots. And learn from the Word and be guided by the beloved HS as HE works through your pastors, life’s circumstances, and all of creation.
Senior Pastor Steve Kim