Paul plays his Roman citizen card today. Paul tells the soldiers beating him that he is a citizen of Rome, and they stop what they are doing immediately. They are not allowed to do that. Paul’s destination to Rome continues. He is heading there, for the glory of God. It is interesting that Paul had been telling the people his testimony, telling them what God had done, but they would not listen. They would not open their ears; open their hearts. They would not listen. Today, do we listen to what God is saying? Do we listen to where God is calling? God is still speaking. We need to grace to hear.

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Good morning! It’s wonderful to continue our journey through the book of Acts together. Today, we’re diving into Acts 22:22-29. This passage contains a pivotal moment in Paul’s journey, demonstrating his strategic thinking and the importance of listening for God’s voice.

Paul, having proclaimed his testimony about how Jesus transformed his life and called him to a new mission, faced an intense reaction from the crowd. In verse 22, it says, “Up to this point, they listened to him, but then they shouted, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live.’ And while they were shouting, throwing off their clothes and tossing dust into the air…”

Their reaction was far from accepting Paul’s message. Instead, they were filled with anger and hostility, so much so that they wanted him dead. Paul had proclaimed the power of God’s transformation in his life, and this testimony was met with resistance.

In the midst of this chaos, we see Paul’s strategic thinking and the importance of knowing one’s rights and using them for the sake of God’s mission. Paul knew that he had Roman citizenship, a valuable status in the Roman world. Roman citizens had rights and protections that others did not have. Knowing this, Paul asked a crucial question when they were about to flog him: “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who is uncondemned?” This was a powerful statement, and it took those who were about to flog him by surprise.

What’s essential to understand here is that Paul had a mission to spread the message of Jesus, and his Roman citizenship was part of God’s divine strategy. Being a Roman citizen allowed Paul to appeal his case to Caesar, which eventually led him to Rome, where he would carry out God’s mission.

In our lives, it’s important to listen for God’s voice and discern His guidance. When God leads us, He often provides us with the tools and opportunities needed to fulfill His plan. Just as Paul knew his rights as a Roman citizen, we should also be aware of our rights, opportunities, and resources, so we can better serve God’s purpose.

One significant aspect of this passage is the challenge of truly listening. The religious leaders in the crowd couldn’t hear God’s message through Paul, despite the powerful testimony he shared. Their hearts were hardened, and they couldn’t accept the transformation that God had brought about in Paul’s life. It serves as a reminder that we should keep our hearts, ears, and eyes open to receive God’s message and guidance.

Today, let’s not just read the Bible or attend church but truly listen to what God is saying to us. Let’s be open and receptive to His guidance, knowing that He may put us on an entirely different path than we had planned.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the book of Acts. Tomorrow, we’ll continue with the unfolding of Paul’s journey as a Roman citizen. Have a great day!