Acts 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only you, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am… I. HIS DECISION intimated in the words — "such as I am." What, then, was Paul? A Christian. 1. What is included in this? Not knowledge merely, nor a plausible profession, but living faith, holy love, and spiritual operative life. 2. It avails not what you are, unless you be Christians — were you ever so rich, highly respected in society, or beloved by your friends, an affectionate obedience of Jesus Christ. 3. It is not in the power of man to bring you to this, for it was not in the power of Paul effectually to persuade Agrippa. II. HIS ENJOYMENT. This is evident. 1. He was satisfied with the choice he had made. He had no misgiving that in embracing Christianity he had done foolishly. 2. He was happy — much more happy in his fetters than all the splendid audience which he addressed. A man is happy not according to his rank, but the state of his heart. Joseph, calumniated and imprisoned, was not anxious in the least; for "the Lord was with him, and showed him mercy." Daniel and his three friends were perfectly composed; for their confidence was in God, and their salvation was from Him. III. HIS BENEVOLENCE. 1. The goodwill of this apostle first regarded Agrippa, but it did not rest with him: it was diffusive, it spread through the whole company. In one respect, it is true, he desired no resemblance: "except these bonds." It is well to judge of the religion of Jesus Christ by its effects. 2. Observe how the benevolence of Paul was expressed; not by mere words, the impulse of momentary feeling: the text is a prayer. From this learn, that no place is unsuitable for prayer, no time is unseasonable for the exercise. Benevolent wishes should be matured into prayers, and ought to be expressed by pleading with God. But prayer was not all. The apostle spent his life in active kindness, and he, who thus prayed for Agrippa and the court of Festus, was ready in every way to prove the benevolence which he expressed. And with our prayers let us unite exertion, or what evidence have we of their sincerity?Conclusion: 1. How wide the difference between the spirit of Christianity and the spirit of the world! 2. How striking the contrast between the reality of the gospel and the pretensions of infidelity! 3. How highly desirable is proficiency in religion, in opposition to a languid and wavering profession of it! (T. Kidd.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. |
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