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by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 21, we saw how these disciples of Jesus Christ in Caesarea were persuaded that God was in this cautionary prophetic warning as to what Paul is about to face when he returns to Jerusalem. They agree to stand by, and alongside Paul, and support and encourage this man who is so determined to remain faithful to his calling in Christ.
Peer pressure, of which we hear so much today, does not cause Paul to compromise.
What his concerned colleagues had been urging, did not make him cave in or give up. He was determined to remain in the centre of the will of God. It is important that we see this clearly. They change their mind. There is nothing wrong in changing your mind, to align your mind with the mind of God. It is a wise man who decides to make that type of change.
This situation is never easy. It takes spiritual strength. It requires courageous faith and boldness, but here we see what can be involved in spiritual leadership at times. Faithfulness to Jesus - endurance under pressure - holding on to the Word which God has given - and believing that true disciples will see and discern that Jesus is the ONE behind it all. If you are a spiritual leader, then do all you possibly can to display these qualities and characteristics, lovingly and graciously, but firmly and steadfastly.
These are crucial critical days in which we are living and strong spiritual leaders are so needed. If you are a leader, then lead. If you have a strong, loving, courageous leader in your fellowship then stand by him and support him, and most of all, pray for him.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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