Thursday, June 25

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

2 Kings 8:1–9:13

Acts 16:16–40

Psalm 143: 1–12

Proverbs 17:26

 

 

In today’s reading from Acts, we may observe Paul’s several approaches to authority, both worldly and spiritual.

 

In this passage and others, Paul willingly submits to the ruling authorities, even when their conduct impinges on the Gospel.  In Romans 13:1, Paul summarized this godly attitude towards “the powers that be”:  “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.”  Since God had sovereignly established these governing authorities, Paul trusted in God’s direction in advocating adherence to these authorities.  Peter argued for similar godly submission under ruling authorities.

 

In 2013, Reza Aslan gathered significant attention with his book Zealot, which argued that Jesus actually followed in a “rebellious” tradition and imagined himself as one to overthrow the Roman authority.  It also contends that Jesus’s disciples took a similar tack.  The book does not ring true with Biblical accounts, however, as Jesus Himself righteously submitted to Pilate’s authority, suggesting it had emanated from God’s own design.  The One Who fulfilled both the Law and the Prophets had come under authority, and His perfect obedience became the basis for the Christ-follower’s righteousness.  Jesus did revolutionize the Jewish conception of the Messiah as a conquering king; instead, He opened the door to the Kingdom of God and promises to return to bring the fullness of the Kingdom to its ultimate fruition.  Jesus’s disciples, led of course by Peter and Paul, urged submission to the governing authorities and willingly faced persecution and death as martyrs.

 

Yet, despite Paul’s submission to these governing authorities, he will call upon his Roman citizenship as a means of bringing his case ultimately before Caesar.  He strategically and wisely wishes to bring legitimacy for Christ-followers by demonstrating how the Way did not conflict with Roman authority.  His citizenship, granted through his birth in Tarsus, protected him from unjust imprisonment and guaranteed a hearing with Caesar’s courts, once he implored for this treatment.  The remainder of Acts will trace the course of Paul’s multiple imprisonments and his ultimate transfer to Roman house arrest, where he had opportunity to share the Gospel quite freely and boldly.  Acts itself marks an arc of expanding penetration for the Gospel:  first in Jerusalem, then in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, including, quite importantly, Rome.

 

In addition, we find Paul’s calling on spiritual authority in countering demons and joyfully singing hymns in prison.  While he did indeed face trouble from worldly powers, Paul recognized that the advance of the Kingdom would come through a spiritual battle, not a worldly one.  For this reason, he explained how we might become ready for this battle:  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

 

Standing on the testimony of God’s Word and revelation, Paul did indeed take up this spiritual battle.  He mustered joy by remembering God’s promises and trusting in them wholeheartedly.  He followed the pattern of Abraham, the pattern of all God’s faithful ones throughout history:  He believed God, and “it was credited to him as righteousness.”  Paul encourages us to take a similar viewpoint, both for salvation’s purposes and for the spiritual battle:  “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:20,21)

 

 

Father God, I pray that you may strengthen us in faith so that we may give glory to You.  Reveal more of Yourself to us through Your Word and through prayer so that we too may become fully persuaded that You have power to do what You have promised.  Strengthen us for the daily battle with Your armor.  Give us courage to stand boldly for You, even in the face of opposition, name-calling, or rejection.  Send us Your Holy Spirit so that we too may be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.  To Your Name be all power, honor, and glory.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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