Acts 25-26

Read Acts 25 and 26

Read through both chapters and as you read, watch the drama of a court proceeding unfold. Listen to the words of the accusers, the trial judges and the man in question. Observe their individual attitude and stance.

Reflect

Have you ever been accused before?

How did you approach or settle the matter?

Did you seize the opportunity that was given to speak up for the gospel?

Did you see the hand of God orchestrating the whole situation, overruling the opinions and decisions of the accusers and judges?

Relate

I'm not sure about you, but I've been accused before. Once by a senior fellow colleague from a different department and another by a disgruntled next - of - kin. The irony couldn't be more stark. On both of the occasions, I was actually trying to help. But in spite of that, I was slammed.

The set of circumstances seems almost similar to Paul's though the magnitude differs by a mile. In my two cases, the intent was clear. It was to malign and inflict punishment on me respectively.

Looking at how Paul approaches the wrongful and groundless accusations brought up against him with equanimity, we might think for a moment that he was a bigger man than he was. But looking closer, we could actually see him standing on the shoulders of giants. And the giant is none other than Christ who went through an almost similar trial (Philippians 3: 10). Just like Paul's, it was more a plot than a trial, set up by detractors who wanted him dead or removed.

I suppose, too, that I was standing on the shoulders of giants like Paul or Christ. By choosing the path of non - retaliation, I allowed the false reports and scathing emails to reach the uppermost echelon of the organisation that I was working in with nary a bit of explanation from me. Truth is, I had tried counting to ten before replying. However, by then, it had felt pointless to explain anything.

As for the other accusation, I was ready to be called anytime by the relevant authorities for questioning. But little did I realise that the matter had already been brought to the attention of the Council, the highest medical disciplinary body, by the next - of - kin. It came to light only when I received a letter from the Council about a year later saying that they had decided to drop the matter without even the need to interview me. And just like that, I was spared.

Coming back to the case with my fellow colleague, it was sometime in the middle of 2018 during a month of prayer and fasting, and using a material on the Sermon on the Mount as prayer guide, that I came across these words, "Blessed are those who are persecuted." In what must have been a spirit - led moment, I began praying for those whom I deemed had persecuted me. Upon realising that they were not believers yet, I prayed even harder for their salvation.

If any wonderful outcome could be called a miracle, then it was a miracle to learn of news of this colleague’s sudden transfer to another organisation a mere few months after the prayer. Not only that, an olive branch was extended as well by him naming me as his referee. Not by a long shot did I see any of this coming.

The last verse from my favourite chapter in Isaiah, 54: 17, encapsulates it well. It couldn't be any more accurate than it is: No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the LORD."

But even during the trial, Paul couldn't resist a good opportunity when he saw one despite the high stakes. Taking the bull by its horns, he seized every given opportunity there was to speak about Jesus and his resurrection. He wasn't concerned at all about his life nor his reputation. Die he might. Be called crazy he might, too. So be it as long as Christ is preached. He even backed it up with a simple testimony of his own that he was no different, perhaps a bigger sinner, than most of them until he knew the Lord.

He had by then spoken to the gentile Roman world on 3 separate occasions, to no less than three of their highest - ranking officials: Felix, Festus and Agrippa. The last would even include the creme de la creme of the Roman world at the time.

Again, the Scripture bears close scrutiny here. This time round, in regard to its prophecy in Acts 9:14 where it is mentioned that Paul would be a chosen instrument of the Lord to carry his name before Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 

But unknown to Paul and most certainly, myself, God was orchestrating the whole situation in our favour. What he needed most from us was our unwavering trust in him to settle the score for us in whichever way that he chooses. The other requirement was for us to be our collected and unperturbed self, not someone with a pious front but harbouring a vengeful intent.

Finally, over and above maintaining our composure and trusting in the Lord, if we can be used for a greater cause for the Lord or the gospel’s sake, we should go for it.

Since no tongue that rises against us in judgement will prevail. For the Lord is our vindicator. He who is true to his Word.

Rest

Lord, sometimes we think that we're defending you, but in actual fact, you're the one defending and protecting us. Let it be our privilege then to speak up for you or the gospel whenever an opportunity avails itself, even if it meant doing it at our own expense. But even then, it makes a world of difference just knowing that you'll stand by us and vindicate us for that is simply who you are.

Naville Chia