And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” Acts 26:29.

The apostle Paul followed Jesus example, and wanted all to be saved and follow Christ to the best of their ability.  He wanted better for ALL the people that heard him, and that was why he spread the gospel so clearly and loudly.  We should all follow teachers that are clear that they want everyone to be closer to Jesus.  Pastor Duke had a great example yesterday of someone who reamed him out when he was a new believer, claiming he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  Janice gave me a similar example over the weekend of a converted town drunk that was not allowed to join a church due to no one believing him.  Yes in both cases God used these instances to grow the people who were denied access by the leaders who misused their authority.  However, this does not mean that we should follow and repeat the error of those who hoard and lord spiritual knowledge, controlling who has access to the deeper meat of the word.  True believers will praise the Lord for all who follow him, even if they grow faster or beyond their teachers.  As disciples ourselves, seek out selfless teachers who want the best for their students.  As teachers, we need to be very clear that this is our goal and desire, that we should be abundantly close and growing closer to Christ, and that we should desire all should be as we are (except for our specific suffering circumstances).

Sometimes people question the proverb “better late than never,” causing them to think that there is no point in doing things once they are past their scheduled time.  King Hezekiah in 2Chronicles 30 give us a concrete instance that obedience should come now, despite being late.  Even though they had missed the passover feast when he became king, Hezekiah decided to celebrate passover a month late.  They didn’t even have enough priests consecrated at the time.

^” For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month, ³ since they could not celebrate it at that time, because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient numbers, nor had the people been gathered to Jerusalem.”

Not everyone was pleased with this proclamation, but as usual, the remnant was responsive.

“So the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them. ¹¹ Nevertheless some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. ¹² The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.”

The nation was in such apostasy, that even the priests were unprepared

“And the priests and Levites were ashamed of themselves, and consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the house of the Lord”

Yet, they followed the spirit of the law anyway, and the LORD honored their hearts.

“For a multitude of the people, even many from Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than ^[i]prescribed. For Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord pardon ¹⁹ everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though not according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.” ²⁰ So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. ”

What was the result of their obedience (even if it was late, and partial)?  The celebrated the feast  WITH GREAT JOY for the prescribed 7 days, then WITH JOY for another 7 days (going even beyond the commandment!).  Their great joy spread to all Jerusalem, and it was the best thing since the days of Solomon, “and their voice was heard and their prayer came to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.”  This is awesome!   The next chapter goes on to say that the people were so obedient with their tithes that there were PILES of leftovers!  When LORDs people respond properly, there is enough for everyone’s needs, and abundance more to share!

So how to we apply this?  When we see something wrong in our lives, take action immediately, even if it is past the time we were supposed to do it.  Do the best we can to obey, and cry mercy to the God of heaven, who sees our hearts.  After we obey, let us obey in double portion, according to our hearts, and not our obligation, for the LORD will hear our prayers and honor our seeking after him. Let us then be extremely thankful for His response, and bring our tithes and offerings with the same abundance that He provides for us.  Is the LORD convicting your lack of obedience today? If so, please do not hesitate to jump in with your whole heart.  He will not disappoint.

When I was in school, I was taught that the Catholics during Constantine forced people to ‘convert or die’.  Prior to them, the Ottoman empire certainly had this practice.  What I wasn’t told is that this goes back thousands of years, to the time of the Jews.

^{2Chr 15:12} They entered into the covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and soul; ¹³ and whoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.

Oddly, they were not scolded for this behavior, but instead “the LORD gave them rest on every side.”  It did not last however, and king Asa himself bought some peace, and was given the scolding “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand. ….Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars“.  Even in his personal life he continued in error “Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.”

My theory here is that forced conversions don’t always stick, since once the pressure is off, people naturally return to their own carnal ways.  John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”