We arrive now at the finish of the book of The Acts of the Apostles. In the best way, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the expression of love and wisdom it has professed. These chapters have instilled within us: faith, courage, perseverance and trust in God's leadership and protection over our lives. It has reaffirmed the promises we read of in the Gospel chapters: We are deeply loved, intricately guided, boldly protected. We are souls who, when we chose to be, are tethered to the spiritual foundation of God and His compassionate philosophy. We are not victims we are soldiers, a divinely arranged army defending and promoting life rather than taking it.
We have examined the life, character and faith of Paul, who is representative of many of us. We do not always or often begin our journey through life with focused, good-intention but we are not bound by our mistakes. Even for the most unlikely, there is opportunity to be good, to be purposeful, even instrumental in the course of humanity. We were taught the road to our transition from chaos to order: patience, listening, working, persisting.
God's impartial love was emphasized. Opening His heart and His wisdom to the entire world, to each culture, region and peoples. For although humanity divides itself, God recognizes and embraces His entire, one-family. The sheer, precise order and intention of God was brought to us, comforting us with the knowledge that none of this is random, or aimless, or unseen by Him. He is directly involved and invested in our individual and collective well-being... and finally, we learned that when we become involved and invested with Him, His blessings are enabled to be delivered. We are the vessels through which light and healing come. He is our source but we are not meaningless; our participation is highly valued and effective. Light, love and life exists and ultimately triumphs because of Him and yet, it is all the more vibrant, lovely, and sweet when we elect to become the instruments through which those things are upheld, especially now on earth, in places and people who so require it.
28:1-2 The crew, prisoners and other members of the ship arrive in Malta, where they are treated kindly.
28:3 This and these next verses are highly metaphorical: here was Paul, contributing to the light and warm (of the fire) but also of life. Despite his innocent, selfless and faithful attempts of compassion and work ethic, he is bitten, challenged by evil and injustice. The creature fastened to his hand; similarly with the intention of halting the work that he is doing, symbolized by his hand, injustice fastened its teeth on him.
28:4 Ignorance's first glance, assumes and accuses Paul of being wrong. Paul's testimonies through the regions were often met with similar assumptions and accusations. Without being informed of the entire situation, the wrong conclusions were jumped to. Paul was not in the wrong, rather, those around him were wrong.
28:5-6 For Paul easily rids himself, harm-free of the creature (representative of adversity). God's children are not hindered or halted by injustice or adversity. God's children shake the injustice and continue on, unharmed, untainted by the attempts of adversaries.
In observing the ease with which Paul escapes harm (in ridding himself of the poisonous snake, but also in ridding himself of the chains and evil plots planned against him) Paul's life becomes a testimony for his goodness but more importantly, for the ability and goodness of his, our God.
Paul's persistence, the life and faith and passion within him endured consistently and allowed people the opportunity to see the truth and strength within and being exuded by him. They expected him to fail, to become a victim of hatred, injustice, poison, but he never did. Paul was so blessed that people even began to think that he was a god. That is how much God blesses his children. Of course, Paul was quick to correct their thoughts.
28:7-8 God, through faithful and devoted Paul, is able to heal this man's ailing father.
28:9-10 Paul has reciprocated their kindness but has also worked selflessly to ensure that he did all that he could to promote their well-being. Ironically, Paul is still a prisoner and is about the ship off yet again.
28:11-15 After many months of travel, the ship finally arrives at its destination: Rome. Some disciples and apostles meet with Paul and he is thankful and encouraged by the reassurance of their love and support. We also hope to have and be this type of friend... you do, you always have Him, your friend, your creator, your God who loves and supports you so.
28:3 This and these next verses are highly metaphorical: here was Paul, contributing to the light and warm (of the fire) but also of life. Despite his innocent, selfless and faithful attempts of compassion and work ethic, he is bitten, challenged by evil and injustice. The creature fastened to his hand; similarly with the intention of halting the work that he is doing, symbolized by his hand, injustice fastened its teeth on him.
28:4 Ignorance's first glance, assumes and accuses Paul of being wrong. Paul's testimonies through the regions were often met with similar assumptions and accusations. Without being informed of the entire situation, the wrong conclusions were jumped to. Paul was not in the wrong, rather, those around him were wrong.
28:5-6 For Paul easily rids himself, harm-free of the creature (representative of adversity). God's children are not hindered or halted by injustice or adversity. God's children shake the injustice and continue on, unharmed, untainted by the attempts of adversaries.
In observing the ease with which Paul escapes harm (in ridding himself of the poisonous snake, but also in ridding himself of the chains and evil plots planned against him) Paul's life becomes a testimony for his goodness but more importantly, for the ability and goodness of his, our God.
Paul's persistence, the life and faith and passion within him endured consistently and allowed people the opportunity to see the truth and strength within and being exuded by him. They expected him to fail, to become a victim of hatred, injustice, poison, but he never did. Paul was so blessed that people even began to think that he was a god. That is how much God blesses his children. Of course, Paul was quick to correct their thoughts.
28:7-8 God, through faithful and devoted Paul, is able to heal this man's ailing father.
28:9-10 Paul has reciprocated their kindness but has also worked selflessly to ensure that he did all that he could to promote their well-being. Ironically, Paul is still a prisoner and is about the ship off yet again.
28:11-15 After many months of travel, the ship finally arrives at its destination: Rome. Some disciples and apostles meet with Paul and he is thankful and encouraged by the reassurance of their love and support. We also hope to have and be this type of friend... you do, you always have Him, your friend, your creator, your God who loves and supports you so.
28:16 It has been made quite clear by now that Paul is not a danger. Still, it's been God's planning that has allowed for his just treatment. Got places the right people and opportunities on our path when we give our trust to Him and allow Him to plan and orchestrate the events of our life.
28:17-20 Paul's ultimate proclamation of his innocence and good-intention. He explains that he has been wrongly held in chains and that he has arrived in front of this counsel in Rome to once and for all be judged.
28:21-22 The counsel explains that they have no received a single message that Paul has acted violently or behaved inappropriately. Yet before they dismiss him as innocent, they request his testimony because this particular group of people (who have captured him and plotted and demanded his death) despises him.
28:23 Paul "explained and solemnly testified" God's philosophy and his devotion to it. Paul was not impatient, or exacerbated, even though it would have been justified considering the length of his unjust imprisonment. Paul is aware and focused on God's plan; he understands that each testimony he has delivered, even in chains, has been deliberately orchestrated by God who has planned for all people to hear His word. It's imperative that Paul deliver this message, explain himself with patience and intelligence, otherwise he would taint the message. Paul gladly delivers the message and does so without impatience or anxiety. God has filled him, through Paul's faith, with courage, composure and wisdom.
28:24 As is normal, some listened and absorbed, some did not. Here on earth we are given that opportunity: the freedom to make our own decisions.
28:25 In a faithful attempt to dispel the chaos and disagreement between the two groups, Paul refers to scripture: Isaiah 6:9-10.
28:26 God has acknowledged and anticipated that some people would be presented with His philosophy but would not actually hear it. Meaning, they would not devote themselves to understanding it and absorbing it. Such circumstances still occur today.
28:27 Most unfortunately, people cannot awaken to truth and light until the acknowledge it. God can do so much for us when we allow Him to, when we trust Him. Until we devote ourselves, become passionate in being compassionate, we are unable to turn from chaos and injustice, turbulence and dejection. He the balm for all of our ailments, but He cannot heal us until we trust and allow Him. Why? Because He gives us the freedom to reject Him, and He will not overstep our decisions. He is respectful of our freedom.
28:28-29 The dispute continued, but many listened. Truly listened. Sometimes you do your best for a person and what you have done doesn't "click" for them immediately but does sometimes at a different point the journey of the lives.
28:30-31 With his freedom, Paul continues to devote his life to promoting, inspiring and healing others through God's love, compassion and ability. With his freedom, Paul did not "punch-out" of work; he continued on, passionately. With confidence, provided by God's support, Paul was able to be one of the most instrumental people in the world. No one could forbid him to be himself, to work faithfully, because God cleared and protected his spiritual path on earth.
28:21-22 The counsel explains that they have no received a single message that Paul has acted violently or behaved inappropriately. Yet before they dismiss him as innocent, they request his testimony because this particular group of people (who have captured him and plotted and demanded his death) despises him.
28:23 Paul "explained and solemnly testified" God's philosophy and his devotion to it. Paul was not impatient, or exacerbated, even though it would have been justified considering the length of his unjust imprisonment. Paul is aware and focused on God's plan; he understands that each testimony he has delivered, even in chains, has been deliberately orchestrated by God who has planned for all people to hear His word. It's imperative that Paul deliver this message, explain himself with patience and intelligence, otherwise he would taint the message. Paul gladly delivers the message and does so without impatience or anxiety. God has filled him, through Paul's faith, with courage, composure and wisdom.
28:24 As is normal, some listened and absorbed, some did not. Here on earth we are given that opportunity: the freedom to make our own decisions.
28:25 In a faithful attempt to dispel the chaos and disagreement between the two groups, Paul refers to scripture: Isaiah 6:9-10.
28:26 God has acknowledged and anticipated that some people would be presented with His philosophy but would not actually hear it. Meaning, they would not devote themselves to understanding it and absorbing it. Such circumstances still occur today.
28:27 Most unfortunately, people cannot awaken to truth and light until the acknowledge it. God can do so much for us when we allow Him to, when we trust Him. Until we devote ourselves, become passionate in being compassionate, we are unable to turn from chaos and injustice, turbulence and dejection. He the balm for all of our ailments, but He cannot heal us until we trust and allow Him. Why? Because He gives us the freedom to reject Him, and He will not overstep our decisions. He is respectful of our freedom.
28:28-29 The dispute continued, but many listened. Truly listened. Sometimes you do your best for a person and what you have done doesn't "click" for them immediately but does sometimes at a different point the journey of the lives.
28:30-31 With his freedom, Paul continues to devote his life to promoting, inspiring and healing others through God's love, compassion and ability. With his freedom, Paul did not "punch-out" of work; he continued on, passionately. With confidence, provided by God's support, Paul was able to be one of the most instrumental people in the world. No one could forbid him to be himself, to work faithfully, because God cleared and protected his spiritual path on earth.
