Except for
Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:29
All of us have exceptions in our lives. We all have things that we would not want others to have to carry or deal with. Ideally, our job and goal is to duplicate ourselves in others. That’s what discipleship is. We teach others to love God and to tell others about His love for them. Our job is to make disciples and hopefully, you are the kind of Christian that others want to be like. Then there are the things that we don’t want to pass on. Things like insecurities, pride, bad attitudes. These are habits that most of us have but try to keep hidden for the most part.
In today’s reading, Paul makes a statement that is probably in the heart of each one of us. He said to king Agrippa, that he prayed all who heard him would become like him…except for. His “except for” was not a personal trait, but a conditions or position that he was in at the time. He wanted all people to be a Christian and a witness, a preacher of the gospel, but not a prisoner. His desire for others was all the good and none of the bad.
Each day we all are faced with opportunities to be bold about our witness and also to make disciples, but the only way to have that bold spirit is to be filled up with the love and desire to make an impact on the lives that we encounter each day. Paul had a deep desire for everyone to have a close relationship with his heavenly Father. He knew how God had changed his life and wanted all people to know the unconditional love of God and that all would have an encounter like he did. His desire to see people saved was so great that he prayed for others to receive, everywhere he went.
What about us today? Are we the kind of witness that is so filled up with God’s love that we want all people to come to the knowledge of the truth? Are we praying for people every where we go to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus? Is it our hearts desire that all people know God’s unconditional love for them and experience it in their every day lives? If not, we can start that today. We can make disciples and in the process we will not be focused on our “except for” just like Paul didn’t focus on his.
Today I want to encourage you to begin to pray for hearts to be ready to receive wherever you are, then pray for the boldness to speak the good news in love and kindness. Ask for supernatural opportunities and ways to share. He has given you everything you need to be a witness and a testimony, but it is up to you to take the steps. Start today to be the kind of Christian that duplicates and desires all people to be like you, except for the chains that are holding you back.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 26:24-32
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
The Daily Dose 