“The Charges Against Him” (Acts 25)

And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all men who are here present with us, ye see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews have applied to me, both at Jerusalem and also here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.   But when I found that he hath committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.   Of him I have nothing certain to write unto my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, O King Agrippa, that after we have examined him I might have something to write.  For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not also to specify the charges against him." (vs24-27)

Bless God that we appeal to the Judge of all the earth, the Highest Power, and we shall be found guiltless before Him.  Men sought to kill Paul, but they couldn’t bring charges that would stick, and it will be the same with you at the Judgment.  Sinners may hate you and condemn you, but God will pronounce you innocent at the Last Day for your faith in Christ.  You’ll be accepted in the Beloved, and no charge or accusation shall be seen against you, because Christ died for your sins, and the Spirit has produced holiness within you (Deut 21:1-9; Acts 20:26-27).

Don’t fear the Judgment and rest assured that God sees you.  Paul wrote, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.  In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Cor 4:3-4).  Just as Paul appealed to Caesar, knowing the Jews would give him trouble in Jerusalem, even so, we appeal to the Judgment seat of Christ, knowing that He approves of us.  We are not perfect, but we will be blameless, not because we are faultless in ourselves, but because we are sincere followers of the Lamb (Rev 14:4-5).  People may have accused and opposed you, but your labor isn’t in vain, and God remembers the commission that you’ve been given.  He said, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled”, and we’re doing His business (Luke 14:23). They may call you “holier than thou”, “fanatic”, or “narrow minded”, but God shall say, “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord”, and this is the only verdict that matters (Matt 25:14-30).  Who can condemn the souls that He’s justified and declared righteous? These are the people that Christ died for, and He works holiness in us by His love.

Stand against the opposition by pleading God’s judgment seat, and you’ll rest.  You’ll go about your labors peacefully and with joy.  Men may hate you, and your faithfulness may go unnoticed, but there is One who sees, and He shall reward you, “for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10).  The Jews couldn’t make charges stick against Paul, and by grace, you are blameless, too. Paul said, “I am innocent of the blood of all men.  For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27).  You walk by faith as forgiven and enabled to do good.