Acts 21

In I Kings 13 records a very interesting story. It illustrates how God will allow us to be tested as we strive to do His will. He may even allow fellow believers to try and get us off the track just to teach us to follow Him fully.

Paul surely knew this story. All along his way back to Jerusalem good well-meaning friends and prophets were trying to convince him NOT to go to Jerusalem. They warned that the Jews would bind and hand him over to the Gentiles. They were NOT lying to him as the old prophet in I Kings did to the man of God. They were legit. But Paul KNEW what was ahead of him and KNEW that He must go to Rome.

Jesus had the same issue. His disciples and others were trying to get Him to NOT go to Jerusalem. And He told them what was going to happen when He got there. It was God’s will for Him, personally.

What we believe to be God’s will for us, personally, needs to be done—just do it! Especially if it is the RIGHT THING TO DO (righteousness). But don’t try to impose God’s will for you on others. God may have a totally different path for them. Those who were warning Paul had no idea of what Paul knew. All they did was confirm to Paul that he was on the right track even though to them it looked like his end. He KNEW He needed to go to Rome! Jesus KNEW He needed to go to the cross!