THURSDAY February 22, 2024
Free Indeed!
When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
Acts 26:30-31
After Paul had spoken, King Agrippa stood up and left. How sad! He never made the decision to accept Christ. He was living together in sexual sin with Bernice, his sister. All of them were sinners––sinners that Christ died for and came to save.
The King, Bernice and the Governor talked quietly among themselves. They knew and agreed that Paul had done nothing deserving of death or imprisonment. He was innocent, but what could be done? Paul had already appealed to Caesar. Agrippa said to Festus the governor: “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” (Acts 26:32).
Although in chains, in reality, Paul was set free. He knew he would go to Rome to stand before Nero and give his life for the Gospel. But that did not move him. He was willing to not only live for Christ, but die for Him, as well. He had experienced true freedom––freedom from sin––and he also knew he had inherited eternal life.
The truth of the matter is when any person accepts Jesus Christ, he has been set free:
...now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:22-23).
Jesus taught the truth of abiding in His Word and, afterward, stated to His listeners: “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
But whatever you do, find the God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated passion of your life, and find your way to say it and live for it and die for it. And you will make a difference that lasts. You will not waste your life.
~John Piper~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
