The beloved physician Luke wrote as Paul was making his defense before King Agrippa, he told him, “I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me? it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared unto you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto you. Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you, ...”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse eighteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told King Agrippa that Jesus said he would, “open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God” where we read:
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
The verse begins, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, ...” Luke began with the words, “to open their eyes” which means “to open up their spiritual eyes”, “and to turn them” or “and to cause the Gentiles to worship and be in obedience to the true God” “from darkness to light” which means “apart from ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell toward the truth and its knowledge together with the spiritual purity associated with it”, “and from the power of Satan” or “and apart and separate from the ability, strength and authority belonging to the inveterate adversary of God and the prince of evil spirits who incites apostasy from God and sin” “unto God” which means “toward the Heavenly Father God”. Luke shared how Jesus told “Paul” his ministry among the “Gentiles” would be so they would have their “spiritual eyes” opened and their lives turned away from “ungodliness and immorality” toward the illumination of God and apart from “Satan's” “power” and authority.
The verse goes on to say, “... that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Luke continued with the words, “that they may receive forgiveness” which means “so the Gentile people might accept, lay hold of, claim and procure liberty, release from bondage and pardon” “of sins” which “pertains to errors, wrongs, mistakes and missing the mark”, “and inheritance among them” which means “and a portion of the ministry common to the apostles within the Gentile people” “which are sanctified by faith” or “who are separated from profane things and dedicated to God through the means of trust and conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things and the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ” “that is in me” which means “which exists within me, Jesus”. Luke shares how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that the purpose of his sharing with the “Gentiles” was so they might lay hold of liberty and release from their errors and wrongs and gain a portion of the ministry that purifies and cleanses those who believe and trust in Jesus Himself.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn the purpose of “Paul's” commission. He was to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the “Gentiles”, and when they believed and trusted in Jesus, God not only would cleanse them from their sins, but also give them a portion of the purification that was within Jesus Himself. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. When they submit to Him, He will forgive theirs sins, grant them everlasting life and commission them to function within His Kingdom. Those who are wise observe carefully the testimony of “Paul” and realize, his witness of the gospel is available to everyone who comes to Jesus and receive His forgiveness of sins and everlasting life.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells King Agrippa, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision”, 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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