Based on Acts 24 (New King James Version)
“Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: ‘Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.’ And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so. Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: ‘Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, ‘When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.’ So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him. And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’ Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.”
What can we see in today’s passage? In general, we see that those that follow and serve the Lord faithfully will have problems sooner or later, and they will be big problems. Why is this? Because we live in a world that is full of sin, with many people that delight themselves in sin. Knowingly or not, the truth is that they are being led by their flesh’s impulses, by the desires of the sin that dwells within their members. And Unfortunately, even those of us that have come to the Lord and repented from our sins also have a struggle with our own flesh. Sin ruins everything. That is why it causes injustice and finally spiritual death, if you choose to follow it. But the worst problems happen with people that do not desire to change their ways, and they continue at the moment satisfied with their fallen condition. That is what makes the world so difficult, especially for those of us that have made the decision to follow the Lord’s footsteps.
What wrong did Paul do to deserve judgment, and as history teaches us, even die for his actions? After coming to Christ, Paul dedicated himself to sharing the gospel with every person possible. Paul was looking to do the greatest service to everyone he could find, the good of letting them know the way to eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. That was the evil (per se) that Paul committed, because of worrying, struggling, working, losing sleep, and suffering over the eternal state of his neighbor. The irony within this is that before coming to Christ, when he was persecuting the church, and consenting in the death of many Christians, where he would force them to blaspheme, no one would do anything. The religious Jews gave him all the power he needed to fulfill his missions. While Paul was persecuting and harming the followers of Jesus Christ, the whole world was happy what is actions. No one accused him, nor punished him, nor put him in jail, or least of all, threatened his life. Everyone was fine with Paul’s actions.
So then, if we follow the Lord faithfully, could we in any way even put our eyes on what is here and now? This is what the word says: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Corinthians 15:19. The answer is now. Our hope is not in this world (and here is where many people lose their desire to follow Christ). Christ did not necessarily come, nor least of all, die to turn this fallen world into heaven. Christ did not die on the cross to give us a good financial standing or help us fulfill are temporary and carnal desires. He did not come to make us powerful in this world. He came for much greater things then this temporary world and everything that is in it. And furthermore, this world must pass and everything that is in it so that the eternal and perfect can come. So then, the reward is not here. The reward and goal in Christ is after all of this, when the temporary comes to its end. This is what the Lord taught: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:10-14.
If we follow the Lord faithfully, until our physical death, we will have a great prize, a great reward, waiting for us, and it will be eternal. But, if a person dedicates themselves to following the things of the world, to temporary things, they will receive just that, and God’s heaven and eternity is not awaiting them, but rather, eternal death where there is no peace, or joy, or life. I am afraid that it’s that simple. There are no grays. Either you decide to put your faith in Christ and follow His Word the best you can so you can have what He has reserved for those that love Him, or you decide to form part of the larger group that follows Satan’s dark power that now reigns on this earth? Where is your faith? Lord bless! John