Day 193: Romans 1:1-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” - Romans 1:16-17 ESV

Yesterday we left Paul on house arrest in Rome, unhindered. Today, with the beginning of Romans, we've traveled back in time, before Paul made it to Italy. He is both inspired and hopeful about the faith of this church in Rome. Their faith was famous (see 1:8), and as we continue to read this masterful letter, we will see that Paul intends to drill down even further, helping to make their faith more secure.

For Paul, being a person of faith and also ashamed couldn't coincide.

It is no mistake that later on Matthew, Mark, and Luke quote Jesus using the same Greek word for ashamed (ἐπαισχύνομαι epaischynomai): "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mt 8:38, Mk 8:38, Lk 9:26)

Our faith in Jesus is something to proclaim for all to hear.

Remember when your parents would embarrass you as a teenager? What was so scarring about that experience? Deep down, you felt like your parents were misrepresenting your brand to your friends. Jesus will never misrepresent you. He is a truth-teller. He is a life-giver. Not to mention He's the one who alone has the words of life (see John 6:68).

We will regret many of our actions in this life. We will never regret, not now or in eternity, identifying with Jesus.

"We should note, however, that just as 'righteousness' involves transformation, so the term pistis (faith) includes the sense of 'faithfulness'—loyalty and allegiance—and not simply an intellectual acknowledgment. Genuine dependence on Christ invites genuine loyalty to him, not simply reciting a statement about him as if nothing is truly at stake." - Keener, C. S. (2009). Romans (pp. 29–30)

Day 192: Acts 28:1-31

“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” - Acts 28:30-31 ESV

The open-ended conclusion of Acts is sure to bother those who enjoy a good, resolved ending. The story Luke tells here in his second writing effort is obviously leading up to this moment of Paul being in Rome. He starts (1:8) with Jesus making the command to be His witnesses to the nations, and he ends with Paul declaring to the Jews that he was turning to the Gentiles (nations, see 28:28), whom he said would listen.

So, why such an abrupt ending?

Why not give us more details about the end of Paul's life? We learn from a lot of Christian tradition (outside the New Testament) that he was decapitated by Nero around 67 AD (near Peter's martyrdom).

We do know Luke was a sucker (more than any other New Testament writer) for the details. Names, places, and times were his thing. This has led many to believe that he refused to record Paul's execution as a way of letting us know we are carrying on the work he started for the nations.

May we carry out the unfinished business of these first-century missionary efforts.

I love the way I. Marshall Howard finishes his commentary on Acts:  “Whatever be the truth, the fate of Paul is secondary to that of the gospel. The final picture is of Paul preaching to the Gentiles the same message which he had preached throughout Acts with boldness and without hindrance. All the emphasis lies on that last phrase. The implication is that the charges against Paul were false and that God backed up his proclamation. Nothing that men can do can stop the progress and ultimate victory of the gospel.” - Marshall, I. H. (1980). Acts: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 5, p. 447)

Day 191: Acts 27:21-44

“For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island.” - Acts‬ ‭27:23-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What is it going to take to get you from here to there? Will it help to promise that nothing bad will happen to you or your family? What about the affirmation that you are fine just the way you are (no growth needed)? Both of these are not helpful. They sound good but don’t translate well when real-life goes sideways.

God gave Paul the assurance that he, and everyone on the boat, needed to hear. They needed to know that they would survive; that they would make it. Jesus will always give us what we need to accomplish what He's asked us to do (see 2 Thessalonians 1:11).

But here’s the hard part of the assurance: They were still going to run aground. A shipwreck was still going to happen. There was no easy way.

In life, it seems that (in this fallen world) all the worthwhile things God calls us toward are difficult, not easy. Yet still, God will see us through, and it will have a positive effect on many.

"This speech is, in character and rhetorical function, quite the opposite to what we find in the literary speeches during this time period. In those speeches the message is about the danger of the situation and preparation for impending doom. Here the message is one of hope in the midst of despair. - Witherington, B., III. (1998). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 767)

Day 190: Acts 27:1-20

“The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.”- ‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Many believe this group of Christians that shows kindness to Paul were in Sidon as a result of Stephen’s martyrdom (26 years earlier), as believers scattered from Jerusalem.

“Paul received permission to go ashore and visit members of this community (for so we should certainly understand “his friends”) and enjoy all the attention that their Christian love could suggest while the ship was in harbor.”  - Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 478)

SPOILER ALERT: Tomorrow, there will be a shipwreck.

It is interesting here to play a “what-if” game. Knowing what Paul and the boat’s occupants (totaling 276) were about to face, it should not surprise us that God gave Paul favor with Julius the Centurion.

God will always give us what we need now to help us lead and persevere later.

So, what happens if the Jesus-followers here at Sidon don't meet Paul’s needs? Does he have the strength or focus necessary to lead well throughout the storm and shipwreck? We can’t know for sure, but we do know from the rest of the chapter that he was a difference-maker.

Ready for two challenges today from our passage?

1) Be open to receiving kindness from fellow Christians.

2) Be ready to extend encouragement to those who need this kind of care.

We will be amazed at what Jesus does in us and through us because of these two life-giving acts of openness.

Day 189: Acts 26:1-32

“to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.” - Acts‬ ‭26:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As you read through Acts 26, you can’t help but be drawn into Paul’s heart-cry and mission. He echoes what we see more than once in the writings of the prophet Isaiah (42:6-7, 49:6). It is the idea that, in future generations, the Jews were going to be a light to the nations. It was promised to Abraham at the very beginning of his call as well when God said, "...in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:3 ESV) Paul was the first real champion of this cause, and he literally gave his life to see it through.

We are on the same mission today. If we aren’t calling those we are trying to reach to a brand new life of freedom, then what is the point? Following Jesus isn’t just a nice sentiment; it has the power to overcome any darkness, in any place. Being a Christian isn’t just a label; it is activating something that cannot be stopped. Satan himself is rendered ineffective.

Paul's desire was for these two Roman rulers to understand who was really in charge. Jesus Christ (the light to the nations) was running the show, and they would do well to worship Him as soon as possible.

“The net effect of all this is that the reader understands that God’s hand continues to be on Paul, and God’s plan for his life will be worked out.” - Witherington, B., III. (1998). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 745)

Day 188: Acts 25:1-27

“Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”” - Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the Roman Empire and the Jewish system, Paul was not a rule-breaker. He knew that the government that he sought to reform was the very same one that was keeping him alive. 

Instead of choosing a stubborn, anti-establishment stance, Paul decided to have influence.

In another place, he described it this way:  “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” - 1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV

Consider that this is coming from a man who wasn’t shy about telling you what he thought. Yet, he was looking for sustained influence over temporary gloating. This was about him having the opportunity to tell the entire known world about this Jesus he claimed was alive (see verse 19).

How do you intend on having influence (for Jesus) in the United States and beyond? How will you help cure the injustices you see?

We will do it one humble, winsome conversation at a time.

Let's close with another encouragement from another one of Paul's letters:  "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." - Ephesians 4:1 ESV

Day 187: Acts 24:1-27

“...as he told them about his faith in Christ Jesus. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified.” - Acts 24:24-25

Paul is able to have a private audience with one of Rome’s provincial guardians, a governor. He had the opportunity to share his “faith in Christ Jesus”in any way he wanted. So how did he proceed? He used “reason” (διαλέγομαι dialegomai converse; discuss; argue) to tell them about three things:

1. Righteousness (God’s way of saving us through Jesus’ blood)

2. Self-control (“to exercise complete control over one’s desires and actions” - Nida/Louw)

3. Judgment to come (Felix wasn’t just going to have to answer to Rome for his deeds. He would also answer to Jesus upon his death; see John 5:29).

How would you have presented the gospel to a powerful, political man like Felix? It doesn’t do us or those to whom we share the gospel any favors by skirting around the apparent truths of scripture.

Is it really possible to be as strong as Paul and also remain as respectful as he was toward the Jews and Felix? Only by God’s power!

The following quote is an excellent picture of what God wants to do in every life: “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”  - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Day 186: Acts 23:11-35

“The following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.’” - Acts‬ ‭23:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Someone who is unafraid doesn’t need to be told to “take courage.” It isn’t an accident that Jesus meets Paul in a place of fear. He knew what it would take to see this through to Rome.

Courage.

The Greek word here is tharseō. Louw and Nida define it as "to have confidence and firmness of purpose in the face of danger or testing."  Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 305)

Jesus similarly used the same word when speaking to his disciples the night He was betrayed. He said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NASB95)

What Paul was about to face (imprisonment and shipwreck) required more than he currently possessed. He was going to need courage.

Isn’t it fascinating what kind of sign God gives him immediately? Paul’s nephew, whom many believe was between high school and college-age, warns of an assassination attempt that was about to take place.

Courage always comes with a crew, and sometimes that group is comprised of family. This is the only way Paul would make it to Rome, and it’s the only way we will fight this good fight as followers of Jesus today.

Day 185: Acts 22:17-30, 23:1-10

“Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’” - Acts 23:6 ESV

In our reading for today, Paul found himself in an impossible situation. He faced back-to-back threats:

1. Flogging and interrogation

2. Condemnation of the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court)

He craftily sidestepped them both.

Did he do this because he was a coward? No. We know for a fact that he wasn't opposed to suffering for Christ's sake. He saw it as part of the Christian experience.

Check out 2 Corinthians 11:25: “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.” (see also, 2 Timothy 3:12)

Yet, in this instance, Paul wasn't going to be unnecessarily mistreated. He would use his intellect to his advantage in order to ensure safe passage to Rome, the largest microphone of his day.

Did you know it is also acceptable for you to use your intellect to ensure you have maximum influence among those who have yet to follow Jesus by faith? We aren't afraid to become martyrs for Christ's sake. We don't have to acquiesce to avoidable mistreatment.

Jesus, give us the kind of wisdom that Paul had, which only comes through your Holy Spirit.

Day 184: Acts 21:37-40, 22:1-16

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name." - Acts 22:16 ESV

Paul's enter-at-your-own-risk trip to Jerusalem has led to an incredible opportunity. The mob which was trying to kill him now becomes an audience for his testimony. This speaks to how much compassion Paul had for the Israelite people (who were his own).

In this carefully crafted message, Paul gives us a few more details about Ananias' role in his conversion to Christianity. As you may recall from Acts 9, Ananias was not, at first, a willing participant in being sent to the murderous Pharisee. He responded to Jesus' command with a question: "Have you not heard how bad this guy is toward Your people?" Jesus had heard (and seen) it all.

The language Ananias uses is so powerful. This time, he asked Paul a question: "Why do you delay?" Paul didn't need more than three days to realize that this Jesus who knocked him on his back (with light) was the Son of God, risen and exalted.

One of the ways I've been praying this verse is to ask that certain non-Christians would not delay, that they would respond quickly in faith via confession and baptism.

Who are you praying for to come to faith in Jesus? Perhaps praying this verse is a way to refocus us on the urgency and necessity of salvation from sin.

In contrasting Cain's descendants with Seth's, Moses includes this detail as he wrote:

"Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord." - Genesis 4:26 NIV

May we and all those we are working to reach do the same. We pray it in Jesus' name, Amen.

'And in the act of being baptized his invocation of Jesus as Lord would declare the dominant power in his life henceforth." - Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 418)