“…to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:18)

One of the primary goals of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to open your eyes to the darkness.  To pretend there is no evil in the world (or at least no evil in yourself) is the sort of self-deception that Satan revels in.  If we do not recognize wickedness, we cannot flee from it.  Tyranny cannot be overthrown without recognition of its evil dominion.

Satan owns us as long as we give him the power to shackle us to our lusts, our selfishness, and our hunger for power and pride.  As long as we refuse to admit the problem, he happily leads us by the leash of our ignorance.  The gospel reveals the darkness in us, so it might be repelled.

When we open our eyes to our sin, we can flee from it and seek the forgiveness of the Savior.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 26:12-21

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Acts 26:9)

            Paul’s honesty in owning his previous life as a persecutor of Christianity is refreshing.  He doesn’t excuse his behavior.  He doesn’t hide it either.  In a very public forum, Paul clearly articulates how foolish he once was and the hostility he once held toward the Savior he now loves.

            Honest, humble ownership of our sins is pleasing to God, encouraging to others, and evangelistic in nature.  Don’t be afraid to own your sins.  Forgiveness frees us up to no longer need to conceal them.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 26:1-11

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him.” (Acts 25:27)

            When it comes to the persecution of Christians, there is no logic to it.  The world doesn’t require logic.  The world hates Jesus.  They hate His moral stances.  They hate the idea of Him having authority over them.  They hate the idea that they need to be forgiven.  Sometimes, they even hate the simplicity of the gospel because it humbles all of us.

            When the Jews persecuted Paul and attempted to have him killed, they didn’t even give the governor one charge worthy of being written down.  It was absurd.  Sometimes, that’s just the way it is.

            Don’t try and find the logic in darkness.  Cling to the light and accept that hate is often irrational.  If you are doing what is right, you will face irrational opposition.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 25:21-27

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“…but they had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive.” (Acts 25:19)

Acts 25:19 is one of those understated gems hidden in the New Testament.  During Paul’s trials, the conclusion the Romans came to was that Paul just had some “points of disagreement” over “religion” and whether or not Jesus was dead.  What the world sees as trivial, Christians view as monumental.

If Jesus is dead, we are the most pitiable of creatures… but if that tomb is empty, it changes everything.  If His tomb is empty, ours will be, too.

The world doesn’t get it.  It’s all religion, spiritual talk, and philosophy to them.  Don’t be discouraged – it’s all theory until we die, and then everyone cares about the empty tomb.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 25:13-20

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die.” (Acts 25:11)

            Christianity is the religion of mercy and forgiveness.  After all, Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10) and tells us to forgive others even seventy times seven times (Matthew 18:22).  However, in the midst of all this love and forgiveness, Christians also are comfortable with the idea of capital punishment.  The Bible has no problem with the idea of the government wielding the sword of capital punishment against those who break laws (Romans 13:1-4). It is an odd juxtaposition.

            I believe that Paul’s answer in Roman court shows consistency on that topic.  Paul knew he had the hope of salvation and life eternal.  He also was unafraid to die if he was guilty of doing something wrong here.  The Bible is consistent on this point.  The eternal consequences of sin are removed through Christ, but the earthly ones are not.  A death row inmate can be saved, but that shouldn’t expunge their sentence.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 25:1-12

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.” (Acts 24:27)

For two years Paul went without justice.  730 days of his life were stolen from him by an unjust system that would rather let him rot for political convenience than give him a fair trial.  What Felix did to Paul wasn’t fair… yet, Paul served the Lord those two years anyways.

Those two years were not wasted by Paul because the system was unjust.  Paul refused to accept victimhood.  Paul strengthened himself in the Lord and preached the gospel more effectively under house arrest than most of us do unshackled.  No excuses from Paul.

Paul redeemed the time and went on to preach to kings.  What could have been lost time was used by Paul as God’s time.  When your plans change and life doesn’t seem fair – look around; you might just have been given some unexpected opportunities.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 24:22-27

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.” (Acts 24:16)

            Paul understood that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked and when you understand that there will be a judgment day, you live differently.  The resurrection means accountability, and accountability means you think about your behavior more.

            How would you live if you thought everything you did would be on camera?  What if there was an instant replay for every action and every word you ever said.  That’s the power of the resurrection.  Live like you are preparing for a second life.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 24:10-21

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“For we have found this man [Paul] a real pest…” (Acts 24:5)

            The light irritates those who wish to live in darkness, but it brings hope to those who want to walk in the sun.

            Paul was a pest to those who wanted to suppress the truth in unrighteousness.  May we all be pests like that.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 24:1-9

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“…and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law, but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment.” (Acts 23:29)

            The above are the words of the Roman commander to the governor, Felix, regarding Paul.  In short, even the Roman commander could see that Paul wasn’t worthy of death or imprisonment.  The Jews unreasonably hated him.

            We cannot prevent people from having negative feelings about us as Christians.  However, we can live in such a way that bystanders consider their hatred unreasonable.  Live a life that puts your enemies to shame.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 23:23-35

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they killed Paul.” (Acts 23:12)

            Hatred does weird things to us.  It corrupts us and twists things.  Making an oath is something that involves integrity.  Oaths are about being trustworthy, keeping your word, and being honest enough to bind yourself to words.  Follow through shows responsibility and ethics.

            …unless that oath is to conspire to kill a man.  When we hate people, our ethics get all warped by the hatred.  These Jews hated Paul so much that they were willing to abandon their character and mask it under the guise of self-righteousness.

            And since they didn’t succeed in killing Paul – I wonder how many of them stuck with their oath and died from dehydration and starvation.  Hatred clouds the mind and contaminates our character.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 23:12-22

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision