Not Knowing but Compelled...

compelled (640x360)

In Acts 20:22 Luke records the words of the Apostle Paul,

 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, NOT KNOWING what will happen to me there.


Again, the author of Hebrews in 11:8 writes,

By faith Abraham when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance obeyed and went,


even though he did NOT KNOW where he was going.


The responses of Paul and Abraham can be seen as contrary to the common human response which says I want to know what is ahead before I commit myself.

The follower of Jesus however, knows that the bottom line, when called by God or compelled by the Spirit, is to trust and obey even though we may not know what or where.

Here's a brief checklist to confirm that it is of the Lord.

Is the action consistent with the Scriptures?


Is my motive unselfish and pure?


Will my action injure others or my testimony?


Seek wise counsel


We are strangers and pilgrims in a foreign land, people on the move, unencumbered, ready to respond to the compelling of the Spirit or the call of God.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,


let us throw off everything that hinders


and the sin that so easily entangles.


And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,


fixing our eyes on Jesus,


the pioneer and perfecter of faith.


For the joy set before him he endured the cross,


scorning its shame,


and sat down at the right hand of God.


Considering him who endured such opposition from sinners,


so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.


Hebrews 12:1-3


Read more about Paul's decision to go to Jerusalem, Acts 20:17 - 21:15.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taking the Plunge...

Image
Have you taken the plunge with simply the bungee rope saving you from certain death as you dropped from the launch platform? Bungee jumping is a popular adventure activity and while I haven't taken the plunge I can imagine the experience is exhilarating. The whole experience of being baptised is also exhilarating and while initially there may be anxiety, even fear if you are afraid of water, baptism is an important step in the faith journey. In the sacrament of baptism we identify ourselves with the death and resurrection of our Saviour and God performs a miracle. The Apostle Paul in Romans 6;3-5 describes it this way, " ...don't you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in death like his, we will certainly also be u
Read more

Enthusiasm...

Image
Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz in Budapest, later Ehrich Weiss or Harry Weiss; March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian-American stunt performer, noted for his sensational escape acts. He first attracted notice as "Harry Handcuff Houdini" on a tour of Europe, where he challenged different police forces to try to keep him locked up. This revealed a talent for gimmickry and for audience involvement that characterised all his work. Soon he extended his repertoire to include chains, ropes slung from skyscrapers, straitjackets under water, and to holding his breath inside a sealed milk can. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Houdini) There were two things that set Houdini apart, firstly KNOWLEDGE of what he knew to be true and secondly, ENTHUSIASM, the capacity to persevere in the face of great odds and to overcome the temptation to quit. Enthusiasm is a passionate eagerness in any pursuit. Enthusiasm is a sign of responsible living, the sign that you are able t
Read more

Supremacy

Image
I stood there for a few moments, it was cold and the ground damp, however, I noticed the last of the autumn leaves clinging to the branches of two of the four ornamental pear trees in our backyard. I had just finished putting the green waste in the compost bin as I do each day. There was still a colourful display of green, gold, bronze and burgundy leaves. The other two pears had already shed their leaves. The Manchurian Pear in the back corner, the first to lose its leaves, always has an amazing display of colourful leaves each autumn. The pause as I mentioned was brief however, I was acutely conscious of this cycle of life in the face of winter's cold blast, but more than that I had a deep sense of the presence of God. He was gently whispering to me about His creation. It was a privilege to be assured by God, the Creator, of His presence in all and through all. I looked around and the bulbs in the bulb garden had begun sprouting healthy  green shoots, daffodils, jonquils and hyac
Read more