Just do it.
Nike popularized the phrase in 1988, and those up to the challenge were soon sharing how making a move made a difference. Stories of getting in shape are always good, but the testimonies of those in motion for God are the most inspiring.
A few days after Paul’s appeal to Caesar, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice “arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus”(Acts 25:13). Perhaps it was the governor’s mention of “a dead man named Jesus whom Paul claimed was alive” which gripped Agrippa’s attention, for after being briefed on Paul’s situation, the king told Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself”(Acts 25:22). His interest was not surprising. Agrippa’s grandfather had murdered many babies in Bethlehem while trying to kill the infant Jesus, his father had ordered the execution of James and later imprisoned Peter, and as Paul noted in his opening statement the following day, Agrippa was “well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies”(Acts 26:3).
Knowing that the king knew all the pertinent background information, Paul launched into his story. He mentioned his childhood and related his time as a Pharisee. He referred to his “obsession against the saints” and recounted that he “was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth”(Acts 26:9). He detailed his life-changing trip to Damascus where he met Jesus in a blazing, heavenly light and received direct instructions from the Lord. Paul then looked at the king and made a bold and beautiful statement, “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision”(Acts 26:19).
“I did what God said.” God had shown Paul Who He is. God had told Paul what to do. And Paul had done it. He had not been disobedient to the word he had heard. The follow-through had rarely been easy, had often been hard, and many times, quite painful, but Paul had done it. Because God had said to.
What has God said to you? Don’t be disobedient.
Just do it.
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