Safety to Find

Acts 18:15-16

But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

Here Gallio is dealing with quite the scene down at the public complaints office. Yet Paul has not finished talking about something found in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10. See, his experience was personal to him alone. How kind it is of him to share it with the church however. Like these Jews gathered, some have wanted to know if the timing of our Lord's return. Let me tell you, little church. Had the master known, he would not have suffered his house to be broken into. But so these times and seasons matter not for they are none of your concern. When you meet the One who is running things though, it all makes sense. Since he owns it all, he will also come for what is his. The text says like "a thief in the night." It can also mean sneakily, hastily, and with much speed. His is a snatch and grab mission ahead to be seen. Yet still he comes as a man armed to a den of robbers to take back what is his. What skill he has to do this and yet lose none among the way. I wonder also at his power and authority. For so has he need of such in times like these. One day each self-appointed guardian of that house will turn to congratulate the other. You too might be nearly ready to say, 'all is well with the world, brother.' But this aparrent "peace and safety" will not last. See, there are things going on of which you know nothing. The Jews came to inquire about private matters of their own law, which only they could answer. Here Gallio agrees with them, for indeed, what nonsense is this. With that, he dismissed the people. Nothing further came of it. But how many of you know that God the righteous judge of all, will not allow such to go unanswered. Nor yet will he allow his people to e unheard. For this reason, the brothers not of this house of darkness must take care not to get caught up with the rest. Nor has God given you no sense of direction, teaching, or comfort at all. For indeed, as children of the light, has he not called you his. Therefore the period from dusk till dawn has no power over you. See then what the end of those shall be. It seems God has appointed a sudden destruction to come upon the children of the night which know not where they go. The visitation upon them shall be like that of a woman caring for her child before the trouble comes.

And he drave them from the judgment seat.

Such an image is almost how Gallio is with the people, guiding them gently back to their homes. How wonderful it is to come expecting a judge but finding a guide. Yet how fearful it is for those in need of that judge. It seems then that this justice drove them from the seat of judgement not in wrath. Rather it is for the sole purpose of preserving such from the day thereof. See, the Africans have a word reserved for such times, even that of wahala. How many of you know that the trouble might be great. But God is always greater. To this end should you rather watch as does Paul. When night falls, some of you would rather go curl up in bed and fall asleep. Yet when you sleep you sleep unto Christ. Here are others of you, like the apostle, that prefer working the daylight hours. Now, I know some of you are saying that all this grief, trouble, and judgement requires you a drink. Well might you have drunk of the wrath of the Lamb and some at the hands of men also. Here Paul is saying to be sober also. Not everything is all about you. There are lots bigger things going on than just your pain, sorrow, and lack of sight. So then let the children of the day put on the body of Christ Jesus which saves. Is there not a chest piece of "faith and love." For indeed such comes from your heart. But rest yourself in the God who saves and keeps your head. For his armor is not complicated or his burden tedious. Nor has God meant to destroy his people as some are wont to think. Rather there are some actions at the hands of the children of darkness which remain unaccounted for. Then shall the righteous judge of all deal with these also. Yet for now you and I can rest in the one who "died for us." So it matters not if you are awake or asleep. In Christ he has appointed you to live, whether now or in eternity with him.