Scripture:
Acts 20:27-32 ESV
[27] for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. [28] Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. [29] I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; [30] and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. [31] Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years, I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. [32] And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Observation:
The book of Acts is the collective story of what happened after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s the story of what the apostles did. Paul’s conversation and the missionary journeys that took place. Here in chapter 20, Paul talks to the Ephesian elders. The leaders of the church, it seems, there were a few things that he was making very clear. The first was that he was not afraid and was not going to back up from preaching to the whole council of GOD. The second was that he was not going to tell half the truth or try to water it down. Speaking the whole counsel of GOD was his common practice. The next thing he wanted to draw attention to is that there were going to be those who would speak half of the truth or try to explain away parts that he didn’t understand and that was going to be something the church would have to keep guard over. The flock was a priority. Not any kind of personal agenda. After all, that’s the job of an overseer. Not looking at half of what GOD’S word says, but the whole truth. The Holy Spirit had put them in a position for a reason. The flock had been bought by the blood of Jesus and would need to be looked after and protected. Getting the overseers ready for those who did not understand the whole council of GOD was imperative because Paul knew that as soon as he left, they would move in. Those who had some kind of personal agenda and only had part of the truth. Paul knew it was easy to get off track when all you had was a little bit of what GOD was saying and he wanted the elders to know a half-truth is not the whole truth. It’s easy to get things twisted when they are taken out of context, and Paul had spent the last few years of his life doing everything he could to teach and admonish the churches. He was preaching and praying to the point of tears. He had devoted his life to it. The last verse in this SOAP is something that we need to pay attention to. It’s not a request. Paul uses the phrase “I command you.” This is not something that he is asking the elders to do. It’s something that is a must. The just of it is this… their job was to search GOD’S word and know it. Look at grace and see how GOD had taught it throughout everything that had happened from the beginning of time. Not using it as a license to live a sin-filled life but calling mankind into the right relationship with HIM through it.
Application:
I want to make you aware of something… the Bible was not written with chapters and verses. That’s something that men put in there to help them study it. I guess they figured if it was broken up like that, it would be easier to find what they were looking for when they were searching the scripture and well… they were right. The problem with that is that it allows the scripture to be taken out of context and, therefore, twisted to fit any kind of agenda that is wanted. After all, we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength, right?… Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that’s not what the scripture says because clearly, it does. However, if you look before and after the “VERSE” that was just highlighted, you will get the right perspective on what’s truly being said. Over the years of studying the bible, I have found that there are 2 ways to go about it… and I’m going to be honest by saying I have gone about it both ways. You can search the scripture and cherry-pick the verses that will allow you to live however you want to and not answer for it… after all, HIS grace is sufficient for HIS power to be made perfect in your weakness, or you can allow GOD’S holy and living word to change your life. Knowing that when you overcome your weakness, HIS power is seen. But without looking at the Bible to correct our behavior. The path we are on doesn’t change. You can’t get the whole picture through a few verses. You have to take the time to study the whole thing. Grabbing just one verse is like trying to look at a 500-inch TV from 3 inches away and understand what is going on. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you should not stand on GOD’S word. There are parts of it that the Holy Spirit will speak to you in your time of need. What I am saying is make sure you understand it, and you’re not trying to fit your agenda. Don’t modify GOD’S word to fit your lifestyle. Modify your lifestyle to fit GOD’S word. HE has it to us to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Let’s look at the whole counsel, not rip it out of context. I would encourage you to take the time over the next however long it takes to read the entire Bible. Read it a few times. Read it completely through. Then go back and study it. Get it written upon your heart. Live it breath. It feeds on it. Allow the Holy Spirit to correct you with it. Give GOD full rain and rule in your life… and see the amazing abundant life HE has intended for you to begin with.
Prayer:
Father, we love you, and we want to know what your word says. We are not looking for half-truths or trying to justify our behavior. Help us to modify how we live to fit what your word says. It’s easy to get distracted by what we want and get off course because of our desires to gratify the flesh. What we are asking is that you lead us with your truth. The truth that is found in your word and not just part of it helps us to understand the whole council that you have given us. We do love you, and we want what you want for us. Because you plan to teach us how to seek your face with all our hearts. We depend on you for our truth. Increase in us the desire to know and understand the life you want for us… not being deceived by cleverly putting together agendas that only take half of what you said and building doctrines around it. We want more of you, GOD, and less of us. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen