Whom Am I Protecting?

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(Acts 27:31) Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”

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The sailors demonstrated their heartless logic: by abandoning ship, they could survive though everyone else would be doomed. It would be like an airline crew parachuting mid-flight because of a storm. Adam Clarke said, “God promised to save your lives ... on the condition that you make use of every means He has put in your power to help yourselves.” Paul, like in Acts 23:6, employed the soldier-sailor rivalry to expose injustice and to secure righteousness.

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Is there any area in my life where I am sacrificing the well-being of others for my personal advantage? Am I employing all the tools available to me (by God’s providence) to grow in Christ-likeness and to promote His kingdom? From innocent jesting to malicious behavior, does my rivalry with others give opportunity for evil or misunderstanding?

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Lord, thank You for Your necessary high standards. Help me to enjoy life and people in healthy ways. Help me to be a servant more than I am served.