Today’s Devotion
Topic: I Admit
Text: Acts 24: 14a
However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. Amen
By way of fulfilling the prophecy that Paul will have to witness about Jesus before gentiles and their kings (Acts 9: 15- 16), Paul was once more arraigned before a ruler for hearing by Ananias the high priest, some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. This time it was in the courts of Felix the Governor.
“When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.” (Acts 24: 2-8)
When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.14 However; I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.” (Acts 24: 10- 14a)
Beloved, there are several “Tertullus'” in our time today (i.e. people or situations that present an excellent case against our faith so they may get a sentence that bars us from openly practicing our faith). These Tertullus’ include, sometimes, the superiors we work with, the ethics of our chosen profession, our own busy time schedule, our past mistakes with its failures and our lack of courage to face tomorrow’s challenges.
The question is “will you be bold to maintain your sworn allegiance to the Lord Jesus even with all the above odds against you? Can you, like Paul, say before any person or circumstance that questions your allegiance that “I WORSHIP THE LIVING GOD; I AM A FOLLOWER OF THE WAY”?
Ponder over the above and begin to pray. Renew your allegiance to our Master and strengthen your faith by the study of His Word. The counsel of Tertullus is defeated, only the counsel of the Lord shall stand!
See you at church- demonstrate to the Lord, which side your allegiance lies. NO EXCUSES!
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