Luke the beloved physician shared while Paul was in the city of Corinth, the Lord spoke to him, “in the night by a vision”, and said, “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not your peace. For I am with you, and no man shall set on you to hurt you: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, ...”, and in chapter eighteen and verse thirteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Jews said, “this fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law” where we read:
Saying, This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.
The verse reads, “Saying, This fellow persuades men to worship God ...”: Luke began with the word, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “this fellow persuades men” or “the male human being that we have brought before you solicits and incites people both male and female” “to worship God” which means “to revere, adore and devote themselves to the Heavenly Father God”. Luke shared how the complaint of the “Jewish people” who accosted “Paul” was that he “encouraged” people to “adore and revere” God in the following manner.
The verse goes on to say, “... contrary to the law.” Luke continued with the word, “contrary” or “against and in opposition” “to the law” which means “to the rule producing a state approved of God”. Luke shared the accusation brought to the “judgment seat” against “Paul” was that he was instructing people to “worship God” in a way that was in opposition to “God's approved” rule.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “Jewish people” who led “Paul” to the “judgment seat” accused him of leading people to “worship God” in a way that was in opposition to God's law. “Paul” knew what he was sharing was in alignment with “God's” plan and purpose of salvation of mankind through His Son Jesus, however, because these “Jewish people” were so fixed upon their own religion, they could not hear the “gospel of Jesus Christ”. God's message of salvation continues to this day, and anyone who yields to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Though others may think this message is “contrary to the law of God”, the good news of salvation through Jesus is the only path that puts a person in alignment with that which all the “law of God” was intended.
Next time Luke shares what happened, “when Paul was now about to open his mouth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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