MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Scripture: Acts 23:1-3

The Apostle Paul stood before the Sanhedrin and was called into account to present his case. This passage says, “Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, ‘Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’ And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?’” Isn’t it interesting to see that the Apostle Paul declared that He had lived in all good conscience before God until that day! The high priest couldn’t take that, religion can’t take that either. Religion demanded penalizing Paul. In effect ‘religion’ struck him on the mouth and Paul responded judicially with exactly what Scripture says about Christ. He rewards people according to their works. That is the Christ of Revelation. He rewards people according to their works. Paul said without thinking, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” This happened in the early church. Did Paul have any problem declaring judgment on someone who had commanded that he be struck illegally? No, he had no problem declaring judgment. Why did Paul have no problem declaring judgment? He made that declaration because he knew he was free from blame, shame and guilt. He had the assurance and confidence that he was totally free in Christ from the old man, the person he used to be. We are studying the man who wrote the book of Ephesians and outlined our Sonship Gifts. He wrote and articulated rich truths throughout the epistles because that was his own personal testimony! The question is will we in our own walk embrace the same path of freedom?