Saturday 6 September 2014

I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him

“I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him.”

“I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him.  
Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, 
so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.“For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”
Acts 25:26,27
Porcius Festus had a problem.  He couldn’t find anything that the apostle Paul had done wrong, and Paul had appealed to Caesar.  From what Festus says here he seemed like a fair man in an awkward spot.
That’s how all government officials should be, when people accuse a Christian of something.  We must not give those who are against us a chance to turn the civil authority against us.
We must expect to be taken before councils, judges and various civil authorities, Jesus said this in Matthew 10:17,18:
“But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake,  a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”
In the verse prior to that in Matthew 10:16 he states:
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves."
We must be wise, when talking to those who are to hold judgement over us.  We must chose our words carefully and listen for God’s leading.  We can’t go in there shouting and screaming, “I have Rights.”
There is a reason, we will be brought before governors and kings.  Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 10:19
“You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake,  a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”
It is for Jesus’ sake, we will be brought before the civil authorities to give testimony.  If we give that testimony in a non judgemental, non threatening way then we have no complaint against us.
The men that brought Paul before the Roman Governor had a political agenda.  They seen him as a threat to what they believed, and wanted a civil court to settle their problem.
It happens today around the world. Even in the United States. Atheist and others want Christian symbols taken out of public places. Some would if they could go as far as trying to silencing Christians in the west.
Sadly today I think also there is within the Christian community people who have a political agenda.
They are objecting to laws passed to protect minority groups that they morally oppose.
They are imposing on a secular society, Christian values. Values that an unsaved person does not understand or feels they should have to obey.
Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?”
1 Corinthians 12:5  
As long as our civil rights, our rights to practice our faith and evangelise is not restricted we should not oppose the government.
We are told by Paul in his letter to the Romans,
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 
                                                               Romans 12:18-21
Jesus makes things clear,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
                     Matthew 7:1,2.
If we as Christians are doing what Paul said and Christ commanded then we should have no fear when we are brought before the courts. Those who brought us before the court should have the same problem Festus had, nothing to charge us with.
think about it.

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