MONDAY October 25, 2021
The Full Counsel of God
“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
Acts 20:25-27
These are real touching moments. I want you to get the whole picture of what Paul declared to the Ephesian elders. He said to them, “I am innocent of the blood of all men.” This can actually be traced back to the book of Ezekiel, to the duty of the watchman (Ezekiel 33:1-6). When Paul stood before God, he would be able to say, “Lord, when I was there in Ephesus, I gave the people the whole counsel of God. Everything You had written in Your Word.” Paul went through all the Scriptures and doctrinally educated them.
Paul had taught them everything he knew so he could confidently say, “I am not accountable for you anymore.” He could wash his hands from all men’s blood. Paul had given them the full Gospel of Jesus Christ, so if they chose to walk away from Jesus Christ, then their blood was on their own head.
We make it our duty here at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs to teach you the full counsel of God. We also encourage you to read through the whole Bible yourselves. It is important to read from Genesis to Revelation. When I left Calvary Chapel West Covina after thirteen years of ministry, on the last Sunday, I told the congregation, “I am innocent of any man’s blood.” I had taught them the full counsel of God––that is a good feeling to have.
In thirteen years, I had taken them through Genesis to Revelation, and I could walk away without feeling guilty. I taught them every book of the Bible, every chapter and every verse, over and over. I know there is such a great responsibility when giving people the Word of God. It is good to read through the entire Bible every year.
Our salvation is all of grace. The one thing necessary is the one thing we ourselves cannot perform!
~Sinclair Ferguson~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
