TUESDAY March 19, 2024
Firsthand Account
Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”
Acts 28:21-22
The Jewish leaders listened intently to Paul’s account of his arrest and the charges brought against him. They told him, “We have not heard any accusations against you; no one has backbitten and said a word against your character or reputation.” In fact, this was the first time they had heard anything, and they were glad to hear the account firsthand from him.
There are many firsthand accounts of Christians who have died for Christ. Many of their stories are told in the Foxes Book of Martyrs. Many people will say that they are willing to die for Jesus Christ, but sometimes it is harder to live for Christ! Daily you have to pick up your Cross and follow Christ. This means crucifying your flesh––dying to self––by putting to death your fleshly passions. Paul put this concept into words that we can fully understand:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2 NIV).
Reread Romans 12:1-2 and underline this important exhortation in your Bible. Make this your aim in life, to please God in all you say and do. Your mind will be renewed as you stay in God’s Word. Remain in the will of God and live for Christ!
When we come to Christ, we’re no longer the most important person in the world to us; Christ is. Instead of living only for ourselves, we have a higher goal: to live for Jesus.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
