Acts 20:32   And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  

Paul was speaking in Ephesus here, warning them to be discerning because there would be those coming to tear them apart, to convolute the Word of the Lord, to distort what they knew.    There would be those among their own group that would, he warned, attempt to misguide and disrupt and lead astray.   Paul was admonishing them to stay strong in their faith as he had and letting them know that they would never see him again.   Not an easy word to give to those about whom you care and for whom you have sacrificed much.   They cried.

This picture in Ephesus not dissimilar to America today.   Our society is rapidly moving deeper into mocking God and eliminating HIm as a plumb line by which to determine how to live.  Even among Christians,  there are vast disagreements and divisions on such issues.   This  was predicted thousands of years ago and it is of great concern.   Yet, when the Father’s heart penetrates our hearts and we see clearly the fallenness of man, the brokenness of man,  we may first experience righteous anger on His behalf,  but will move, as we seek His ways,  to being broken-hearted, as He is, for His lost children.

And how then will we be persuaded?   Will we fade into the gray with the rest of the world and look no different?  Will we doubt the truth when God’s Word is defied by the majority, even those wearing the cloth?   How do we stand?  How do we respond?  Do we change?  Do we attempt to change others?   What say you?

And now I commend you to God and to the word OF HIS GRACE, which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among those who are sanctified.

Takeaway:   GRACE will see you through as you live as light in the darkness of the current age.  People will see you and sometimes will be angry as your light exposes their darkness. Be kind.  Rely on His grace.  Trust in His grace.   It is able to build you up and give you your inheritance. Be sanctified.  The Lord is taking this world from lukewarm to hot or cold.   Make a decision.   Sanctification means set apart.   Will you be set apart or will you be a chameleon?  Yes-  may our answer be yes Lord, I will be sanctified through your grace.  I am yours and yours alone, no matter the cost.  

Prayer:   Dear Father,  please guide me with your grace, lead me in your grace, let your grace build me up.  Let my foot not move to the right or to the left.  Let me walk the narrow road.   Give me your eyes to see, your thoughts to think, and give me the strength, conviction and boldness to speak when you guide and to be quiet and still as you instruct.   Allow me to see the truth of this world through your eyes but give me grace to see it through your mercy as you have shown mercy to me.