Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Acts 24-26
Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
In this third time that Paul related his experience on the road to Damascus new information is given. Not only did Paul receive Jesus as Lord, Savior and Christ, he was also called and commissioned to the gospel ministry. Now, he stands before King Agrippa in defense of himself against false accusations. In his defense he lists five great things that all those who receive Christ are given. Remember these are not Paul’s words, they are the Words of Christ. They are:
Opened eyes. Before salvation, the eyes of sinners are not open. They are closed to the things of God and the path of righteousness. One of the prophecies about Christ is that He would open the eyes of the blind. It seems to be often recorded in the Gospel accounts that Jesus healed the blind giving physical sight to them. That being achievable, the giving of sight to the spiritually blind is just as possible. Why do Christians “see” things differently than those who are not Christians? Because God gives them spiritual sight.
Turned from darkness to light. In the dark times of midnight our eyes work but see nothing. It takes a light shining in the darkness that our eyes might do that which they are created to do, to see things. Concerning the things of Christ, church, Christian service, and Christlike behavior all were in darkness. Many still choose to be. There are many verses in the New Testament to prove this. John 3:19 states: …men loved darkness rather than light… which is why so many stay away from those who walk in the light. Salvation not only gives a person eyes to see, but also light to see in the darkness.
A new power. Before salvation individuals have power, it is the power of their natural state, the power of Satan. After coming to believe in Christ, there is a new power in the believer’s life. The power of God. Satan holds sinners by power. So too, does God. He holds them by His power. The brevity of this devotion prohibits a full explanation of this, but consider just one verse on the matter: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12.
Forgiveness of sins. Thank God that word is pluralized! Sins, not sin. For upon receiving Him, God forgives all sins ever committed. This means that those receiving Christ will live forever as proven by Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. We earned death by sin, but God, in forgiving our sins, gives us the gift of eternal life. His gift nullifies our wage. Praise His name!
An inheritance. Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Natural parents may choose to disinherit their children for any reason they choose, but God, who is true and cannot lie, has given His children this promise: They will be heirs, and joint-heirs with Christ.
Five wonderful promises gleaned from Paul’s defense before Agrippa. What a wonderful Savior we have, or can have… for it is never too late to receive Him. Paul did, have you?
Dr. William T. Howe
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