How does Acts 22:5 challenge us to examine our motives in serving God? Setting the Scene Acts 22 records Paul defending himself before a hostile Jerusalem crowd. In verse 5 he recalls, “ ‘…I even obtained letters from them to the brothers in Damascus, and I went there to bring these prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.’ ” His words drip with former zeal—yet that zeal was tragically misdirected. This single verse calls us to pause and ask, “Why do I serve God, and whose agenda am I really advancing?” What Paul Had—and What He Lacked • Authority: Letters from the high priest gave Paul official backing. • Passion: He was willing to travel 150 miles to capture believers. • Reputation: “All the Council can themselves testify” (v. 5)—his résumé shone. What was missing? An obedient heart aligned with God’s true purpose (cf. 1 Samuel 16:7). Why Motives Matter 1. Zeal alone can deceive • Romans 10:2—“For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.” • Philippians 3:6—Paul later admits his zeal once expressed itself in persecuting the church. 2. Human endorsement is not divine approval • Galatians 1:10—“If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Paul had the Sanhedrin’s signatures, yet he opposed the very Messiah they awaited. 3. God weighs the heart, not the headlines • Proverbs 16:2—“All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed by the LORD.” • Matthew 6:1—Serving for applause forfeits heavenly reward. Diagnostic Questions for Today’s Servant • Am I pursuing a ministry because it’s celebrated—or because it’s commanded? • Would I keep serving if no one noticed? (cf. Colossians 3:23-24) • Do I measure success by visible results or by faithfulness to Scripture? Course-Correcting Our Hearts • Submit every plan to biblical truth (Acts 17:11). • Seek the Spirit’s witness, not mere human affirmation (Romans 8:16). • Regularly invite God’s searchlight: “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23). Encouragement from Paul’s Turnaround The same man who once brandished arrest warrants later wrote, “The love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). God delights to redeem motives, ignite pure zeal, and channel it into life-giving service. Acts 22:5, then, is a mirror. It reminds us that fervor, titles, and endorsements mean little unless our hearts beat in sync with God’s will. When motive and mission align with Scripture, our service becomes worship, and Christ—not self—receives the glory. |
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