ACTS : Part 55 – God’s Will is in “the Big Picture”
The mature Christian learns to see things from God’s perspective. Beginning with God is what good doctrine and godly living is all about. By now, we all recognize that Paul is a powerful instrument in the hands of God. Paul imitates Christ in his pursuit of and acceptance of the will of God. Paul denied the charges brought against him. “I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said. Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?” But Paul replied, “No! This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!” Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!” The big picture? God wanted Paul to preach in Rome!