Sunday, December 8, 2024
But Paul replied [to Festus' charge that he had lost his mind because he believed in the resurrection of Jesus], "I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do — "
Agrippa interrupted him. "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?"
The issue with the Scriptures is faith. Jesus made clear in his Sermon on the Mount that the issue with his teaching, and really with the teaching of all Scripture, is not one of just knowing but of believing and obeying.* Faith is shown in the doing of Scripture, not just a passive mental assent to the truth.** That step of genuine faith to act on what we believe to be true is the hard part of faith because it demonstrates our allegiance. Chapter 11 of Hebrews is often called the Faith Hall of Fame because we see many of our Bible heroes prove their faith by what they did (Hebrews 11:1-40). Agrippa had the "head knowledge" of the prophets, but he refused to give his heart to the truth and never followed through with actions that demonstrated faith in what he knew. Let's choose not to be like Agrippa but to be like Paul. Let's give our heart, soul, mind, and strength to living our faith through our actions!
* See the first set of our Related Scripture Readings.
** See the second set of our Related Scripture Readings.
Righteous Father, I am asking the Holy Spirit to empower me as I seek to be like my teacher and Lord, your Son and my Savior, Jesus the Messiah. I don't want just to think of him as Savior and Lord; I want my actions to show that he has my heart and that the Spirit is transforming me to become more and more like him^ in my thoughts, words, and deeds. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
^ Luke 6:40; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Colossians 1:28-29
![Illustration of Acts 26:25-28 NLT — But Paul replied [to Festus' charge that he had lost his mind because he believed in the resurrection of Jesus], "I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do — "
Agrippa interrupted him. "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?"](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/24591.jpg "Illustration of Acts 26:25-28 NLT — But Paul replied [to Festus' charge that he had lost his mind because he believed in the resurrection of Jesus], \"I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do — \"
Agrippa interrupted him. \"Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?\"")
Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.
Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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