Mar 14, 2018
When you look at the world, what do you see? More specifically, when you look at those who live in the world with you, what do you see? Do you see happy and sad people? Are some successful, while others struggle to make ends meet? Is your view of the people with whom you work, play and live restricted to external characteristics and visible attributes? If so, you’re not alone. But as followers of Christ, we are to see people through a different lens. We have been given a unique, Spirit-empowered perspective that allows us to look at people as either saved or lost, redeemed or under condemnation of death. On the outside, their lives may appear free from trouble and full of joy. But as God reminded the prophet, Samuel, “People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT). And yet, as believers, we are to use our spiritual sensibilities to look beneath the surface and into the hearts of those with whom we share this planet. In Acts 26:19-23, Luke continues his record of Paul’s hearing before Governor Festus and King Agrippa. And Paul will see these two men, not as powerful representatives of the Roman government, but as two lost souls in need of a Savior. He isn’t trying to get out of prison, but he is trying to tell Festus and Agrippa how to escape from their captivity to sin. Paul wanted them to become like him. He was free, even though he was in chains. They were unhindered by chains and free to go where they pleased, but in reality, they were captive to sin and condemned to death. When Paul looked at them, he didn’t see a governor and a king, but two men in desperate need of a relationship with Jesus Christ.