Acts 23:1-12  A Life of Adventure

Bow Falls, Banff, AB

So what’s the Christian life like? It’s a full life. A good life. A life of adventure. It’s meaningful. It’s not safe, and it’s not easy. Many talk a good game, but the people of God take action. They are well prepared for the debate by the power of the Holy Spirit. They are humble yet bold and decisive. And they know which battles to fight and where and when to escape the fight to achieve God’s mission of saving souls.

God’s hand of Providence is always on the move. As part of His Way, he calls His people, the Church of Jesus Christ, to be holy. That is, we must act according to the will of the Father, guided, directed, instructed, and protected by the Holy Spirit.

James, although Christ’s little brother and a son of Mary and Joseph, called himself a slave of Christ. That’s not a negative thing. It’s a realization that Jesus - not this world and what it claims to offer - is our Master, our Lord. Many people use the word lord and claim they know Jesus. Yet many of us think only of ourselves. We don’t know Jesus because we don’t care what he thinks. We don’t know him because we don’t honestly care whether or not His face smiles upon us. That is what really matters. God’s thoughts about us and our relationship with Him are eternally significant. James warns us about the danger of self-confidence and the need to have confidence only in the Lord Jesus Christ (Jas. 4:16).

Peter aligns with James in encouraging us to follow God alone - not the evil things of this world. Peter reminds us that this Christian life of adventure is for God’s purpose so that more people can repent and know Jesus Christ. That is, freedom in Christ and eternal life rather than what we deserve, destruction (2 Peter 3:9).

And Peter, like Paul and James (2 Peter 3:17), warns us that we are in a dangerous life-or-death battle against wicked people. If you haven’t yet realized that we are in a spiritual struggle played out in this world between God’s people and the devil’s people, then you need to wrestle with that now. The battle is real. Pray for all people. Even our apparent enemies. Genuinely pray for God's hand upon them. Pray for God to help them in His will. And for them to turn from evil. The enemy is real and fierce, and the stakes are high. Do not “lose your secure footing.” Stay on the solid ground of holiness, living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in God’s sight and trusting in the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, may your people be courageous today. Please guide me today.

Notice in this passage how over forty Jews came together to conspire to kill Paul (23:12). They did so with the consent of the leading priests and elders. Wicked, evil men. The devil goes to great lengths to destroy God’s men. But Providence provides and protects God’s people with creativity through miraculous means and courageous acts of His people.

Notice the courageous acts of a young boy following God. Much like Mordecai blowing the whistle on the evil plans of Xerxes’ guards, so too does Paul’s nephew blow the whistle on the wicked plans to kill Paul. Be that man or woman. Be the one to risk telling the truth to honor God.

Notice, too, that God can and will use non-believers to do his Providencial will. Notice how gentle the Roman commander was to the young whistleblower and how he protected him by telling him to keep the knowledge of the murderous conspiracy secret. That’s how you should treat anyone acting in righteousness and risking for God. When they seek help to fight evil schemes and wrongful conduct, do not cover it up. Help them and take action in the name of Jesus Christ. Don’t ignore it. Do something good and helpful! Live a life of integrity for Jesus as a child of the Most High, a slave of Jesus Christ, and a soldier of the Holy Spirit.

Please use us today, Lord God. We know that you want none to perish but all to repent and to have life in you. Prepare us. Replenish us so that we are ready for the battles ahead. Please provide for and lead your Church to honor you today.

Amen.