Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 25:6, Festus returns to Caesarea, having been in Jerusalem, and the trial of Paul begins all over again, after having been left to languish in prison for two years. I have been in Caesarea many times and it would not be a nice place to be left imprisoned and particularly when you had no idea how long this was going to last.
Some Jews come down from Jerusalem, making serious accusations against Paul, but unable to produce proof. Time does NOT change people. Time does not transform people. So often we have been tempted to think that time will soften people, and cool their anger and fury and rage. That is what we would like to see, but that is not what we see in the Word of God, and this offers a degree of comfort.
We can think that TIME will change the situation, and like a bad cold it will clear up. That is not what the Scriptures teach, and we see here, the seriousness of sin. Only the grace and mercy and love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ changes men and women - and transforms situations.
Paul would never have changed had it not been for his dramatic encounter with Jesus Christ outside Damascus - and his receiving help and ministry from Ananias - being healed - filled with the Holy Spirit - and baptised in water.
There is another side to this - TIME should not mellow us either. I'm glad Paul never mellowed as the years went by. I'm glad he remained with that which was real and true - faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ - holding fast to the fundamentals of the faith right to the very end. Yes, through time - he learned lessons - so do we. He gained experienced which he passed on to others, and we should develop in these ways too, and seek to pass it on as the opportunities arise.
Paul never lost sight of what was central. He never lost sight of the vision given to him at the very beginning. He never forgot about what lay at the heart of being a disciple and apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many people never see what is central and real and vital.
Paul knows who he is, and to whom he belongs. He has an assurance that Jesus Christ His Saviour and Lord is in control, and he is going to hold on to that and trust the living God. What he has seen happen in the past, helps him trust for to-morrow. Let your past experiences of the living encourage and inspire you for the work and ministry of this coming week.
As he goes on trial yet again, he displays no bitterness or resentment. He remains so gracious and calm and rational, exercising self-control. Paul has come through these two years victoriously and triumphantly, and he is ready for the next phase of service in the Kingdom of God. Are you?
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.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.