I have continued to spend my daily study in the book of Acts until today when I reached the last two chapters. It was there that conviction fell upon me as I knew I have stories to write for the Ridgeview News that may or may not please the masses. The word of the Lord clearly expressed to me today, “It’s not about the majority Shari, It’s about me, your Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
I’m not an “I told you so,” kind of person. I may think it, but I will seldom say it. Apostle Paul… not so much.
Acts 27:21-26 KJV
[21] But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. [22] And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. [23] For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, [24] Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. [25] Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. [26] Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
Paul had warned them not to leave the shore. But the leaders said it would be fine. So in verse 21, after Paul had been quiet for some time and they’re getting ready to go into hurricane force winds, he says, “I told you so. This story ends with the ship being broken into pieces, the men barely escaping with their lives, but with everyone surviving. However, it could have all been avoided had the leaders listened to God, rather than thinking they knew more.
Point 1
Not Everyone Knows God
I am not fool enough to believe that everyone who says they’re a Christ follower, is actually in the business of following Christ. There are some Christians that follow the majority and let me just say, the majority crucified the Lord. So when it comes to the day to day business of life, how do we know what direction and who’s direction we should follow.
Few people are as tuned into God in the manner of the Apostle Paul. But like Paul, each of us who are saved have the Holy Spirit that we can ask for guidance from, and He is faithful to answer. But do we? Before we vote, take sides on an issue or judge others do we ask God if we’re getting on the right boat?
When Joshua was getting ready to take on Jericho, the scripture says this:
Joshua 5:13-15 KJV
[13] And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? [14] And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? [15] And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
This is said to be an appearance of Christ. So when Joshua ask Him, who’s side He was on, Jesus said, (in the bible according to Shari) “I’m on my side. I’m God!”
If you know God, Is it Him you’re listening to?
Regardless of whose side anyone is on, the question for a child of God should be whose advice am I seeking? On every single decision.
Old Testament or New Testament, God is still God, but the difference between the two – is a child of God has the Holy Spirit within them and that is always the majority. But are you listening?
There was a test conducted in the 1950’s by Dr. Solomon Ash, where they gathered a group of 50 people and broke them down into groups of seven or eight, and all but one were clued in on how they would answer questions. The group was given 18 questions and instructed to answer the first six correctly. But the last 12 they were told to answer consistently wrong. The questions weren’t difficult and were conducted with multiple groups. The clueless person always answered last. When the group answered the final questions wrong, 75% of the clueless people answered the questions incorrect day well.When they asked them why they answered it wrong, they said “even though they knew the answer was incorrect they didn’t want to face ridicule.” Their desire to do right was not as big as their desire to be liked. They agreed with the majority.
I have a feeling the same holds true in society today.
God is the Majority
God does not choose sides. He is the side you should choose. Regardless of any stand any person takes, God is right.
- What if you don’t like a person? God loves them.
- What if you like them and they’re wrong? Agreeing with them is siding against God.
- What if it crosses a “slight” moral guideline? There is no “slight” in the Kingdom of God. It’s right or it’s wrong.
- Be glad God doesn’t use His power to get even with you.
I could add to that list in multiple ways that hit multiple people between the eyes, including myself. That’s not my goal. My goal is to do what God called me to do… share the Word of God in a way that makes people think about their relationship with God.
Talked to Jesus lately?
