Acts 26- Passion and Truth

Take time to read Acts chapter 26.

In this chapter Paul presented his case before King Herod Agrippa.  Paul did this because Governor Festus thought Paul was innocent but he didn't know what Paul was innocent of and Paul had appealed to Caesar.  So, since Agrippa was familiar with Jewish law Agrippa heard Paul's case in order to have something to write to Caesar.

In presenting his case Paul simply gave his testimony.  I believe we can learn an important lesson from this retelling of Paul's testimony.

First, the Truth of the Gospel is logical.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

We Christians have given up.  We've said that non-theism is logical and you have to have immeasurable faith to believe the Gospel.  This just isn't true.  The Gospel is logical.  Let's look at this in Scripture.

"At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. 'You are out of your mind, Paul!' he shouted. 'Your great learning is driving you insane.'

'I am not insane, most excellent Festus,' Paul replied. 'What I am saying is true and reasonable."
Acts 26:24-25

I'm not going to spend time defending the complete logic of the Gospel, but we can clearly see that Paul declares it to be true and reasonable/logical.

Next, passion in of itself is useless without Truth.

The Jews were passionate "they earnestly serve God day and night." (verse 7).  The Jews had passion and followed through on that passion but it was wasted.

Paul, before his conversion, was passionate.  He went around killing Christians in his passion.  We went of multiple journeys killing Christians passionately, but that passion was wasted.

Paul after his conversion was passionate.  He went around spreading the Gospel no matter what the cost and it was worth it.  He was no longer acting under the authority of the chief priest; he was working under the authority of King Jesus.

Passion without the Truth is worthless.  The Truth without passion is impossible because the Truth will make us passionate about what matters.  If you are passionate now but don't bring the Truth of Jesus in that, please stop and fill your mind with the Truth.  If you know the Truth but aren't passionate about it, please look at the Truth again and see the beauty of it because if you do you can't help but be filled with passion.

We possess a powerful, logical Truth.  We must share it with passion.  Be filled with passion and Truth today.