Today’s devotion comes from Acts 21:15-26. We will focus on the following
verses 17 though 26.
“17 After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethern received us gladly.
18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the
elders were present.
19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things
which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to
him, “You see, brother how many thousands there are among the Jews of those
who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law;
21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews
who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to
circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have
come.
23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a
vow;
24 take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses
so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is
nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.
25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having
decided that they should abstain from meant sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.”
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with
them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of
purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.”
Acts 21:17-26.
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Paul may be thinking of this experience when he wrote in 1 Corinthians
9:20-22: “To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those
who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the
Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are
without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under
the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the
weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to
all men, so that I may by all means save some.”
Paul was not primarily motivated by his safety. We read earlier the words
of Paul in this very same chapter. “Then Paul answered, “What are you
doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound,
but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:13.
Paul was primarily motivated by preaching the gospel.
Who can be like Paul?
But, there is hope!
“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under
compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” 1 Corinthians
9:16.
We can trust God to work within us, including to give us the will to do
His will. “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for
His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which
God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and
you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” Ezekiel 36:27.
We can take comfort in the fact that God so makes us so willing, ready,
and able to serve Him according to His will. The Heidelberg Catechism
Question and Answer 1 states: “… by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of
eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live
unto him.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 