Even in the last years of Paul’s life, when he was taken as a prisoner into Rome, did he not stop proclaiming the good news of the gospel and salvation through Jesus Christ. It was while he was in Rome, being bound in chains, that he was asked to explain himself. Of which he did in a very bold and courageous way for God. It is written, “and they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.” (Acts 28:21-24) As we can see, the Roman guards and high-up captains were interested in what he had to say about the Christian church, as they called a sect. Of which Paul expounded the scriptures unto them while testifying about the kingdom of God. That Jesus is the only way to salvation, of which was prophesied of old, that He would come into the world as the Messiah, even God in the flesh.
Paul then spoke unto them, “well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.” (Acts 28:25-29) Isaiah truly spoke of his time and our time also. That many people are hard of hearing when it comes to things of God. Their eyes are also closed, lest they see and know with their ears and hear with their ears the truth of God and be converted. My friends, each year I go on two mission trips to Utah, in order to share the good news of the gospel to Mormons. However, the majority of the people we talk to are closed off to the truth, as Isaiah spoke of. One day, I pray this changes. That more people will come out of false religions and into the arms of Jesus. This is what Paul so desired and I, myself, fully desire the same thing.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will begin to have ears to hear You. And not just that, that their eyes will be open to see You, God. I know that You are looking for individuals who are fully open to know and do Your will. This starts with an open heart to learn. But Lord, I pray that we will not get mixed up in false religions because our heart is too open to things that may not be true. Some things do look really good on paper, but when reading the Bible I can always know if these things are just hearsay or true. Your Words do speak and that is because the Holy Spirit is with us now. You left us the great gift of all and that is the Comforter. Because the Spirit is able to abide in us, we are led into all truth and can understand things from above. This is my desire, Lord, to know of Your will for my life now and in the future. Help me to not fall victim to things I’ve done in the past that were sinful. I know now what it does to a person who continues to do the same sinful things and then justify it later. This might be good for the flesh in the moment but is terrible afterwards. The guilt and shame that comes from willful sin is the worst feeling ever. I know that the enemy doesn’t even want me to keep trying to do better afterward, but I rebuke Satan in the name of Jesus. Yes, God, if I do fall, I will run back into Your arms. Forgive me of all my sins Lord and give me understanding. I love You, God. You are my God and my King, and I worship You. Amen.