Warned about Obedience?

Last week, Christian friends told us that a man in their social group wanted to share the gospel with their unsaved friends. They laughed, but were fearful that he would be ridiculed and suffer verbal persecution. I wondered about that conclusion. Maybe the Spirit was leading him and his listeners would be interested in having a personal relationship with Jesus? Or maybe not?

This morning I read of Paul telling his people that he was going to Jerusalem. His friends were not receptive to that plan:

While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:10–14)

In this case, the Holy Spirit did tell Agabus exactly what would happen, but it seems it was not to persuade Paul otherwise. Perhaps it was to prepare him?

When he arrived in Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up and seized Paul with the intent of killing him. The tribune in charge intervened and rescued him from the mob. When he found out that Paul was a Jew but also a citizen of a Roman city, he gave him permission to speak to the crowd. They listened until he said God was sending him to speak to the Gentiles. They became violent again and all were in an uproar.

The tribune was afraid and protected Paul. The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

So the plan formed to take this man under guard to the governor to settle the issue, but the Jews planned to attack him along the way. Paul’s nephew heard of ambush plans, went to his uncle, and Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.”

This leader beefed up the guards, wrote a letter to the governor describing who Paul was, and then sent both to Felix the governor. This leader said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s residence. 

Paul shared the gospel with his guards and anyone else he could. Eventually he arrived in Rome and was able to share God’s good news with boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 21:9–28:30)

The will of God is always accomplished, even if His people are nervous, warning those who dare obey when it could mean danger, or when the Holy Spirit says it definitely will mean danger. Jesus knew this too, but He said: “Not my will but thine be done” before He submitted to the cross. He could have called for protection, or walked out of His restraints, or turn sinners over to the wrath of His Father, but He didn’t. The Bible tells me to be like Jesus.

Others show how. Two examples are missionary John Paton who lost his wife and son to illness but continued the work of the gospel among the cannibalistic tribes of the New Hebrides. Elizabeth Elliot lost her husband to a different tribe in another place and she went there to win to Christ the very ones who put him to death. Many more have yielded their safety to God that His will might be done.

PRAY: O Lord, may the man who wants to share You with those he plays cards with have this kind of courage. His friends are not cannibals or murderers, yet even ordinary folks can shun those who love You. Or, depending on Your will, they could receive his words with open minds and receive You with open hearts. May Your will be done. And may all who hear about it, including me, be motivated to that same love and boldness for You and for those who will not survive that final judgment unless they hear and embrace Your good news and You.