Day 328

The Way

Read: Acts 24-26

It is too bad that the wonderful term “The Way” has been spoiled because there is a cult with that name. Paul in his defense uses the term several times. And, indeed, Christianity is The Way. It is a faith, not just a body of doctrine; it is also a way of life. Essentially, it is a commitment of one’s faith to a person, the One who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” It is following the One who said, “The gate is narrow . . . that leads to life.” Are you walking that way?

Paul’s capture gives him the opportunity to testify to people in high places, like the Roman governors, Festus and Felix, and King Agrippa. Paul confronts them so clearly with the gospel that, in fact, they are on trial, not he. We must also proclaim the gospel boldly. We must not do so with an inferiority complex, because by God’s grace we are on the winning side.

The early Christians out-thought, out-lived and out-loved the sinful world, and so must we. We must, like Paul, “not [be] disobedient to the heavenly vision” (26:19). Like him we must call people everywhere to “repent and turn to God” (v. 20). And like him, we must do so with “the help that comes from God . . . saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said” (v. 22). As we read of Paul, we must realize we are engaged in the very same work which was his, and we must carry out that task vigorously as he did.

PRAYER
Father, rouse up your church to its great task of evangelism. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.