Life is Not Fair But God Is Good

Do the Right Thing

Paul was being followed by a demon possessed girl that was shouting

Paul being annoyed at the demon cast it out of the girl. The reason he was annoyed was the Demon was saying the wrong thing “17 She followed Paul and us and cried out repeatedly, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation.”

Notice that it sounds right but there is one little word in what she was saying that makes it all wrong. the demon was saying “a way” instead of “the way” The demon was indicating that there was more than one way to salvation.

Paul cast this demon out of the girl and the owners of the girl saw that they could no longer make money off of her. So this upset the owners and they stirred up the people against Paul and Silas.

What Paul did was right by casting the demon out. The ones that were profiting from the girl didn’t care anything about the girl, but only the money that they made from her being demon possessed.

Application

Being a Christian and doing the right thing is not easy nor will it always be well received. There will be times in your near future that you will be tested on doing the right thing. It will not be an easy choice but you must make the right choice. The ages of 18 and 25 are typically called the “dark ages”. This is because in most churches there is not a college and career ministry for them to belong. They are too old for youth and din’t want to attend adult ministry. If you go to college they try to make you question your faith in Jesus Christ. Most higher education universities teach doctrines that are not consistent with the Bible. You may be asked to do something that is not right by your employer such as exaggerate numbers or a situation in order for the company to make more money. You may be asked to make your job your priority instead of your family. Your company may require you to work more hours than the 40 that you are paid to work. This will take time away from your family. You may be pressured into hobbies or activities that takes you away from worship. You may be asked to lie for a friend to keep them out of trouble. The list can go on and on. In order to make the right decision you must adhere to the principles of the Word of God.

There is another principle that is obvious in this situation. That is treat people as people, not as profit centers. I was reading a story this week about a business owner who had a 15 year employee that had a sick grandchild. The grandchild had to be admitted to the hospital and the grandmother wanted to take some time to be with the grandchild and the boss refused her time off and told her that she was there to make the company money and if she was not willing to do that that she would be terminated. This is awful!

Always treat people with respect. Even if you disagree with them. They are made in the image of God and are to be treated as such. The relationships you build will be valuable over time.

Reaction To Doing What Is Right.

We see that Paul did the right thing, but the people rose up against him and beat them with rods and threw them into jail. This doesn’t seem right.

This is another principle that we need to see and that is life is not fair. Just because we do the right thing doesn’t mean that everyone will like it. When we stand for biblical principles we can expect persecution. John 16:33

John 16:33 NASB95

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

John 15:20 NASB95

“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Matthew 5:10–12 NASB95

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

When we are doing what is right and have to suffer for it the Bible says ours is the kingdom of heaven, that we are blessed, and our reward in heaven will be great.

This is why we see Paul and Silas praising the Lord while in prison.

If you have been taught that if you do the right thing then you will not have any troubles, this is false. I would contend when you do the right thing things tend to get worse. This is because the people that are not looking to do the right thing are vicious and will attack you without mercy. This is okay because then God shows up!

God’s Redemption

When Paul and Silas were praying the Lord sent an earthquake to open the doors of the prison. When the jailer saw that all the doors were open he drew his sword to take his own life. He knew that an escaped prisoner would mean certain death for him. Paul stopped him and told him that not one of the prisoners had escaped. This overwhelmed the jailer and he asked how to be saved.

I often wonder if this was the man in Paul’s vision from Acts 16:9

Acts 16:9 NASB95

A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

God saved this jailer and it would not have been possible if Paul was not in jail. Paul told the jailer Acts 16:31

Acts 16:31 NASB95

They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Paul shared the gospel with the jailer and he and his household believed. They were immediately baptised.

God’s Revenge

Romans 12:17–19 (NASB95)

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

The Lord repayed those that mistreated Paul and Silas with fear and humiliation. When the magistrates realized that they had illegally beat and imprisoned Paul without a trial and he was a roman citizen they were fearful. They had broken the law and were subject to punishment themselves. Paul made them lead them out of the city.

Understand that when you do the Christians stand for what is right the Lord will take care of us even if we have to go through the suffering of the world.

If you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ this morning I encourage you to consider it. Your life is about to change substantially. You will need Jesus to guide you in your life.

He is an all knowing all powerful God that desires a relationship with you. The reason I know this is that He died for your sins. He wants to be your Savior, Lord and King.

You can do this by repenting of your sins and putting your faith in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, death, and resurrection, and follow Him.