Based on Acts 27:39-28:10 (New King James Version)
“When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.’ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.”
If a person guided themselves by the idea that everything in the Lord must turn out well (humanly speaking), they would say that Paul’s voyage was a failure, and not only that, but they would also say that Paul’s life and ministry was not blessed by God because Paul did not have a victorious life (humanly speaking) because he died poor, nearly alone, jailed, and finally decapitated for his faith in God. If that is not human failure, then I wouldn’t know what is. Paul had no mansion, nor properties, nor riches, nor a family with many children, nor a temple with a large congregation. But we do know that Paul, for the glory of God, was the apostle that came to resemble the Lord the closet from all of the others. Likewise, if we allowed ourselves to be guided by this erroneous gospel, we would be led to think that the Lord failed also, and that is impossible. But, we do know that all who decide to listen to and follow such lies and satanic doctrines will receive their own reward in the end, and it will not be heaven, if they don’t repent from their evil ways. The Lord will judge. Nonetheless, neither this episode in Paul’s life, nor far less, his ministry was neither an error nor a failure, because Paul had something that was the key to everything which we should have clear also, and that was that Paul did and lived through everything he did for his love for Christ, and that is what makes all of the difference in this world and in eternity.
One of the passages that is most misunderstood in the Word where many erroneously cling on to with the thought that everything will be fine (humanly speaking) is this one: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. When we follow the Lord, it is true that all things will work together for good, whatever seems good and whatever seems unpleasant, but for that to happen, there is a small detail that needs to be present, as we remember that everything in the Lord is conditional. All things work together for good to those who love God. That is the great detail that needs to be present. If a person really loves God, then all things will work for good. But if they don’t love God, will everything work together for their good? And the answer is: “Absolutely not.” It is necessary to fulfill the condition that there must be love for God. God has a purpose for every single one of us, and He has called us through Christ so that we can be part of that eternal purpose. But if there is no love for God, no matter how much purpose there is, many things could happen, but the truth is that nothing will be for their good. It’s as simple as that. Whatever happens will happen but there will be nothing else if there is no love for God. There will be no purpose nor good that will be produced no matter what we choose to think. Therefore, it is necessary to love God.
Now then, what does loving God consist of? The Bible teaches us that we need to love Him in the following manner as it is written: “Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.’” Mark 12:29-30. I know that many will say: “You mention this passage a lot.” And I would say, “Of course, because it is the all of man.” If this is not done, everything else will be useless and without value. You can try to love your neighbor, try to fulfill the ten commandments, in the end, do many things like even preach, heal the sick, cast out demons, etc., but if you don’t love God in this manner, then there is nothing of value and you will be lost. This is what is written: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. So then, what is God’s will? Loving Him above all things is the most important, and then everything else should follow. This is the all of man.
Many might be saying, “If I am honest, I don’t think I love God like that.” And well, the answer to that is: “If you really want to get to the Lord as is necessary, then start to learn how to do it.” No one is perfect, but the Bible exhorts everyone to learn to follow God, and of course, to come to love Him with everything we are and above all things. That is what sanctification is all about. It’s not necessarily about morality or about doing good things, but rather, of letting go of the sin that ensnares us through the Holy Spirit and the Word, of following Christ. That’s what the apostles and the disciples did, and what we should do also. This is what the Word says: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:16-17. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37-38. This is what Paul had very present, and this is what made him look for God’s purposes, no matter what the circumstances. He loved God in everything he did and went through, and this is what we must learn to do as well, if we wish to get to the goal, to arrive at the reward that God has for those that love Him and follow Him. So then, are you looking to fulfill God’s purposes, or are you looking to do your will? Lord bless! John