The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 21:11-14, “And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, ‘This is what the Holy Spirit says: “In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”’
12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 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.”
14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

The quaintness of this experience and the ultimate relinquishing of the human will makes this brief encounter between the Apostle Paul and the Christians at Ptolemais almost unique within the Scriptures. Paul was always viewed as the LORD’s Chosen Vessel. To disagree with him –especially with respect to the will of the LORD—is tantamount to a political argument with someone who had served in government for many years.

Even when Agabus the prophet later arrived from Judea, he sided with the church against the Apostle Paul. Neither group thought it wise for Paul to go to Jerusalem. Yet, Paul was not alone in his desire to go. The Spirit had motivated him, and he was not to be denied doing what he conscientiously believed to be the LORD’s will.

There’s an old adage that says, “It’s never right to do wrong to do right.” But, that doesn’t fit in this situation. With Paul, there was no “wrong” ever in doing what the LORD was instructing him to do!

Were you ever in that kind of situation? You knew in your heart what the LORD
wanted you to do; but your friends –some of your closest friends—thought you should resist doing it. Your know your friends love you –but so does the LORD! No, the difference is clear. Let the will of the LORD be done!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom