Paul
stated that his intention was to press toward the mark. Phil. 3:14,
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus
minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal
even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already
attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”
Paul knew from his experience that Christian growth is a daily
challenge. He must have looked back many times to his Damascus road
encounter with Jesus. That day, Paul received a revelation of who
Jesus really was. He came face to face with the Son of God, the
Redeemer of Israel, his Messiah and he knew it in the depth of his
soul. That encounter was, no doubt, an indispensable strength to him
as he ministered for Christ. And the Lord continued to speak to him
and reveal His truth.
In
Acts 27 Paul had requested an audience with Caesar. He was in the
custody of a Roman centurion and on his way to Rome. Acts 27:10, “And
said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt
and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our
lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the
owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more
part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain
to Phenice, and there to winter;” Paul had a revelation regarding
this journey, but the centurion chose to listen to the captain rather
than Paul. Why? Because it was not convenient to winter there, they
wanted to proceed to Crete. Circumstance inspired them to continue on
their journey rather than give heed to the revelation by the man of
God. Inspiration that is driven by circumstance usually comes out of
our own personal desire and intellect and usually does not end well.
Acts
27:13, “And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they
had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by
Crete.” This again speaks to circumstance. A temporary change in
circumstance can lull us into Satan's plan...v14, “But not long
after there arose against it a tempestuous wind...18 And we being
exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the
ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the
tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days
appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be
saved was then taken away.”
Three days and nights in the storm and
now all is lost and there is no hope except for God! They were not
including the God Factor. They drew these conclusions based on their
knowledge and the circumstances. Many times our knowledge is not
sufficient to draw the appropriate conclusion from our circumstance.
Then we must go to God for revelation knowledge to chart the
appropriate course. (continued). The Message: A Critical Review Of
End Time Events, p 19-20, available at Amazon.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment