THURSDAY November 30, 2023
Born Free
Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
Acts 22:27-29
The Roman commander was deeply concerned. He decided to question Paul about his citizenship directly, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” Paul answered, “Yes.” Inquisitively, the commander stated, “How can you be a Roman citizen when I have paid a large sum to obtain mine?” Paul replied, “That’s too bad. I received mine free because I was born a citizen!”
The soldiers who were preparing Paul to be scourged immediately withdrew from him. They knew if they harmed a citizen of Rome, they would get into trouble––big time. The men realized there had been a mistake made. However, the next day, because he [the commander] wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them (Acts 22:30).
The commander still had no clue as to why the Jews were so irritated with Paul. He knew the Jewish council was not going to give up their accusations, so he decided to bring Paul before the chief priests and their council and listen to them. Perhaps he could then determine his guilt.
In doing so, Paul continued to follow the will of God. Within the next years of his life, we shall find him in and out of court, and in and out of jail. Paul had peace. He knew in his heart that they could do him no real harm––by God’s Spirit, he was born again and, as a citizen of heaven, free!
Think about it. When you are born again of God’s Spirit, you are also born free––free from sin and its eternal consequences.
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
~John 8:36~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
