It was when Paul was before Festos that 1“the high priest and the chief of the Jews” were hoping that 1“he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.” They had enough of his teachings on Christ and the resurrection and wanted him stopped, once and for all. However, Paul knew his mission was to go to Rome, in order to fulfill what God had planned for his life. So in this, he said, 1“I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.” As you can see, he was not afraid of death but knew that his ministry was not done yet. Therefore, appealing to Caesar was granted and he was able to go to Rome. It was there that Paul would finish up strong, while never settling or giving up on his faith. No matter if he had been stoned, beaten and put in prison, nothing would make him doubt his faith in Christ or stop his proclamation of Him. Therefore, this verse from James, describes his will to endure persecution and temptation, even until the end. It reads, 2“blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
While in the service of God there will be persecution, even to the point of death. Nobody said that being a witness for Christ will come easy, instead it comes with a lot of hard work and tears. Along with seeing many souls come to Christ along the way, there is ridicule among the people at large. Satan does not like it that we are out there trying to change the atmosphere and bring the lost unto Christ. Therefore, he brings his forces together, in order to heckle and defame the saints of God. Some people go to the point of violence, in order stop people from proclaiming the name of Jesus. So anybody that said that evangelism is easy is lying to themselves. However, among all things that happens along the way, it is always worth it, in order to see a life changed for Christ. Even if we are out on the streets and only one person accepts Jesus as Lord and is saved, than our purpose while in the harvest has been met. It doesn’t matter the persecution that comes our way and those people that want to kill us because of this. In this fashion, people that hear the Word of God will feel offended and judged to the point of getting upset. However, it is the Holy Spirit doing this, in order to convict their hearts of the sin and darkness they are in. So others may accuse us of judging them wrongfully and of saying and doing things that may put us in prison, but in this, we know that we are on God’s side and we are comforted in our faith.
Let us pray:
I pray, Lord, that more people will have a heart for evangelism. May every believer desire to be a witness for You, Jesus. Even if there is fear and doubt in these people now, may they be humbled to a point that Your will may overcome any faults of their own. Will you come inside of them and instill boldness and courage, as they look to You in faith? It may seem like a very large task at hand to go into Your harvest. People may think that they will have nothing to say and will back down in fear because of this, but I know that You can take any person and make them great in Your sight. I know this because You have taken a person like me, who has a stuttering problem, and allow me to find words to speak. In my confidence in You, I am able to articulate my words in a way that people can understand. Even the proud are laid low because of the words that flow through my mouth. This I know that I could never do this, unless the Spirit was with me, leading me to know what to say. You are the one, God, that opens every door and leads me to have divine appointments. Each week, it is a new person to search out and draw unto You. This surely is a blessing to be Your messenger. I just pray that more people will join me in the harvest. One thing that saddens me is that less and less people are willing to get out there and proclaim Your great name. Instead, they are busy doing other thing that are not pleasing in Your sight. I’ve even heard people say they get bored sometimes. Well, one thing I know Lord is that being a Christian never brings boredom. I am always busy and it brings me so much happiness. Thank You for leading the way in my life. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Acts 25:1-11 (KJV)
1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
2James 1:1-15 (KJV)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.