MONDAY November 13, 2023
Seeking Peaceful Ends
Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
Acts 21:26
Paul was not under the Law, but he decided that the best thing to do in this situation was to seek peace. It did not bother him to go into the Temple with the men to make an offering to complete the end of their Nazarite vow. Even though these men Paul associated with chose to keep the Law, he knew he was under grace. In his actions, Paul showed he had their interest at heart. This was Paul’s thinking:
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Now that you understand the heart of Paul, and that his actions were done out of love for the people, apply this strategy in your own life. When situations or arguments arise in your home, workplace or school, seek a peaceful solution. Consider the influence you can have toward those who need salvation. Even though you may not agree with them, how can you use the circumstances to love them and win them to Christ through your actions?
...walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
~Ephesians 4:1-3~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
