Acts 25:19, KJV- “But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.”
The Jewish Sadducees and the Pharisees were attempting to convince the Roman rulers to kill Paul in Acts 25, yet he affirmed Jesus to be alive. I am always surprised when I come across the actual word “affirmed” in the Holy Scriptures because in today’s world, the practice of affirmation seems to be rejected by most Christian leaders. Affirmations have been largely hijacked by many different factions such as mysticism, metaphysics, and self-help, where the focus is on personal transformation and finding divinity within oneself rather than God. Self-help was the slippery slope that introduced me to the power of affirmation.
Although I was oblivious at the time, I now agree with the Google AI statement that self-help promotes self-deification. I recall asking myself thirty years ago if I was playing God after experiencing realized affirmed goals. God gives us a conscience and Spirit to affirm Him and not what the world tells us we should want.
Fortunately, God had another plan for my life. One evening in January 2008 I entertained the idea of beginning personal affirmations again. I wanted to create the life of my dreams to escape some of life’s troubles. However, in the early morning hours of January 9, 2008, as I got up from my knees I “heard” the clear mandate “Tom, every affirmation you will ever need is found in My Word.” I have spent the better part of the past eighteen years searching for affirmations from God’s Word.
My hope and prayer from day one was that I would affirm the commands of God. My greatest desire was to take on the character of Jesus Christ. I am learning what Paul already knew. I am affirming God and that Christ is alive so others too may know.
This morning in my prayers I asked God to remove me from me. I was reminded of John 3:30-31 “He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” (NKJV) Why affirm earthly things when we can affirm the things of heaven. When Jesus returns do we want Him to find us chasing success in worldly terms or to be found faithful?
My first affirmation this morning came from Acts 23:11 “That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” (NLT) From this scripture I captured what I call an affirmation, “Thank You Lord for encouraging and instructing me.” We must not overlook that Jesus appeared to Paul and other translations stated, “the Lord stood by him.” How bold would you be in affirming Jesus if you have experienced Him standing by you? The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we know He is with us.
We do not need to entertain culture-driven wish lists. We must spend time in prayer as Jesus taught us and seek God’s Word to become who God has created us to be. Let us affirm these things so that we live with Jesus and others may know Him.
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are above all. I desire above all earthly things to become all that You have created me to be. Help me to search Your Word for affirmation of those things You wish for me to profess. May we affirm You Lord so others too may come to know that You are still alive. In the name of Jesus Christ, we do pray. Amen.
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