SCRIPTURE:
“However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin – unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
Acts 24:14-21
OBSERVATION:
Paul is on trial essentially for being a follower of Christ. Instead of denying his faith, he boldly stands and proclaims it for all to hear.
APPLICATION:
There’s a saying that goes “If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
As the Super Bowl just passed and we are coming off of the NBA All-Star Game, you can easily spend time with people to see who they follow. You can find more than enough evidence to prove without a shadow of a doubt who their favorite teams are.
In fact, when you are out and about on the road throughout the day, you’ll see flags, stickers and license plate covers letting you know which teams they support. There’s A LOT of evidence that would convict them of being a fan.
Now, back to the earlier question. If someone were to visit your home, listen to your playlist or have a conversation with you, would there be enough evidence to prove that you were a follower of Christ?
While I can put up the posters, listen to the music and speak Christianese, it won’t often be in my words and clothing that people will know, but rather in the way that I act. I was driving recently when someone blatantly sped up and cut me off. I cringed when I saw the bright colored license plate cover that read “New Hope Oahu.”
People will listen to what you say, but they will watch what you do. The best evidence to show that I follow Jesus will be in the way that I treat people.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have misrepresented You in my words and actions. Thank You Lord for the sacrificial love You have lavished upon me. May I show in my actions that I follow You, this I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
