As For God, His Way Is Perfect: The Word Of The Lord Is Tried: He Is A Buckler To All Those That Trust In Him - Part 2097

Paul answered, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:13)

Interestingly, when Paul had later been arrested, the governor beckoned for him to speak against the accusations that had been made. Paul answers, saying, "Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 

But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult, who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them -- touching the resurrection of the dead, I am called in question by you this day." (Acts 24:10-21)

And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that Way, he deferred them, and said, "When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter." And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." (Acts 24:10-25)

This example shows that even during times of tribulation and persecution, the Lord makes a way for believers to witness of their faith. And for Paul, having met the Way - the Lord Jesus -- while enroute to Damascus, he also knew that there was no other God but this same Jesus whom they had crucified. (Acts 2:36) After all, Paul had determined to not know anything among the people, except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (I Corinthians 2:2) And likewise, also to joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Romans 5:11) 

He "who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." (II Timothy 1:9)

Even through his own personal transition from Saul to Paul, wherein formerly as Saul, he had persecuted and jailed those who believed in Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life should have been evidence of the power of Jesus, the accusers still came forward, accusing Paul of saying things contrary to the traditions of men teachings. How does Paul respond? Paul responds by saying, "There are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me." In other words there was nothing to accuse him of. 

Moreover, Paul said, "But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets ..." (Acts 24:14)

In believing Jesus to be the One and Only Way for men and women to receive His free gift of salvation, apostle Paul confirmed that he did not venture away from what was written in the law and in the prophets. But rather, that Paul understood that this same Jesus, whom ye/we have crucified is now both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) He is no longer on the cross. He is no longer in the tomb. Bur rather, Jesus was the fulfillment of the law, and particularly so, when Jesus on the cross said, "It is finished!" 

Similarly, Jesus was the promised Messiah, the prophesied Christ, who came to receive those into His Kingdom -- who believe in Him by faith. And Paul also understood that this same Jesus -- He willingly became the purchase for our sins when the veil was torn from top to bottom, from heaven to earth. 

Herein is our salvation wherein we too can joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. For as Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) Why? Because Jesus is the I AM prophesied to come in the old. He is the "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!" He has now become God our Saviour, the Lord of hosts has come down from heaven, to rescue the perishing. 

Not as some in the modern day religious culture would have us believe, but rather, as Paul so clearly understood, and was willing to die for -- the volume of the book is "written of Me." 

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil ..." (Hebrews 6:19)

"And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all ..." (Hebrews 9:3)

"By a new and living Way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh ..." (Hebrews 10:20)

Indeed, "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 1:8; Titus 2:13) 

"But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15:11)

And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31) 

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Indeed, he who hath the Son hath the Father also. (I John 1:9) Keep focused on JESUS, the Great I AM whose eyes seeks the world throughout for those hearts who desire more of Him -- the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His Way is perfect! Stand in the offering plate.