Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before
God and all people. Acts 24:16 NLT
LET IT GLOW
One thing that has always been hard for me is to accept criticism. Whether it
be for the purpose of my good or to just hurt me, it has always been hard for
me to listen to criticism about myself. How about you? I recall all those
evaluations principals had to do on my teaching skills. I took it personally
whenever I heard the results. Later I would cry because I tried so hard, but
thought I failed. Finally, I have been able to use criticism constructively,
evaluating it so I can improve what area needs changing. I guess that comes
with age. (It's not that I thought I was perfect, don't get me wrong, but I was
too sensitive.) There's some good, bad, and ugly critics out there in our world.
Watch out!
Paul definitely had it all together. He listened to his critics and offered
his defense. Hang onto your hat. Let the trial begin.
Felix was the governor of Judea at this time. Paul arrived with the letter from
the commander Lysias, who rescued Paul from the Jews because Paul was a
Roman citizen. Paul was put in prison. This chapter begins five days later.
The high priest Ananias and the lawyer Tertullus presented their case against
Paul to the governor.
Now listen to these charges:
1. a troublemaker constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the
world
2. a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes-followers of Jesus
3. a profamer of the temple, trying to desecrate it. (verses 5-7)
Aren't they rediculous? Paul was able to defend himself:
1. He had only arrived in Jerusalem 12 days earlier (6 days spent in prison)
and he was not arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in
any synagogue or on the streets of the city. (verses 11-12 NLT)
2. He admitted to following the Way, which they called a cult. Paul
worshiped the God of their ancestors, firmly believed in the Jewish law,
and everything written in the prophets. He had the same hope in God that
those men had, that God would raise both the righteous and unrighteous.
Because of it, Paul always tried to maintain a clear conscience before God
and all people. (verses 14-16 NLT) He was afraid of breaking the law of
love with God or his neighbor.
3. The Jews in Jerusalem couldn't make an indictment stick. He said he was
on trial because he believed in the resurrection of the dead. (verse 21)
Felix adjourned the hearing until Lysias, the commander, arrived, then he
would decide the case. Felix was familiar with the Way. Felix ordered Paul to
be kept in custody with an officer, but allowed to have visitors and his needs
taken care of. Later, Felix and his wife, a Jew, listened to Paul as he told
them about faith in Christ Jesus. (verse 24) However, Felix became afraid and
sent Paul back to his imprisonment, saying he'd call for Paul again, but never
did.
In his book Paul- A Man of Grace and Grit, Charles Swindoll tells us what
to do whenever faced with criticism:
- refuse to get caught up in the emotion of the charges
- stay with the facts
- tell the truth with a clear conscience
- don't surrender or quit
- don't become impatient and bitter
- stand firm on the promises of God.
who is giving it-the good, bad, or ugly person. :0)
LET IT GROW
Felix had hoped to be given money as a bribe to free Paul, but it never
happened. Verse 27 says after two years passed, Felix was succeeded by
Festus. Because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left
Paul in prison.
Just as Paul had people determined to "prove" things about him that he knew
were absolutely false, so may we.
In the same book, Swindoll advises we learn from Paul:
"Remain calm. Rest your case with your Lord. Take your battles to Him in
prayer. With a clear conscience and committed to the truth, lay your case out
before Him. Start there. And the Judge of all truth will guide you to your next
step. Don't quit. Don't stop. Don't tell yourself that you really are the kind of
person others say you are. If what is being said against you is not true, don't
believe it. Count on the Lord to give you the strength and the courage to
stand on the truth. His grace has brought you safe this far, and it will be His
grace that leads you home."
Wow! Are you up to the challenge? May the Lord strengthen and mend
broken hearts.
LET IT GO
Listen to the criticism; evaluate it; change what is needful.
Keep a clear conscious toward God and others.
If the criticism is true, change for the good; if it is false, consider the source
and go on.
Forgive the ugly critics and let it go. Tell Jesus on them. He can handle them
better than I.
Then, have a great day!
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