Acts 25:26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

Festus replaced Felix as procurator of Judea (Acts 24:27). Upon his arrival in Jerusalem, the Jews besought of him to send Paul from Caesarea to Jerusalem to appear before them, intending to kill him on the way (Acts 25:3). Festus rejected their request, but invited them to go down to Caesarea with him to examine Paul (Act 25:6). And, on hearing the charges brought up by the Jews, he found that the accused was apparently charged on religious rather than on political grounds. He reckoned that the case was one for the Jewish Sanhedrin to decide and not a Roman tribunal. So he asked Paul if he was willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried by the Sanhedrin Council (Acts 25:7-9). But Paul, knowing there was little hope of an impartial trial there, appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:10-12).

Meantime King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea. Festus declared Paul's case to the king. He did this for advice. He was not acquainted with the Jewish customs. But King Agrippa was a Jew and he understood the Jewish customs and religion. Festus agreed to send Paul to Caesar but he did not know what to write on the charge sheet. He appealed to King Agrippa for help.

Is there someone in the church that you cannot find any fault in him? I mean, if you were to write something about the things he is lacking and that he needs to improve but you can’t think of one. He must be such a fine Christian that he is blameless in all things. His conduct and his words are the best one can find. And, I am glad we have such good brothers and sisters in our midst.

Jesus led an exemplary life. Many looked to Him because He was worthy of honour, praiseworthy, and worthy of imitation (1 Peter 2:21-22). The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, after examining Him, could find no fault in Him (Luke 23:4).

We are commanded to be exemplary in our life too (1 Timothy 4:12). If you think that only elders need to be blameless (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6) while the rest can commit a little sin, you need to read your bible again. The scriptures command all Christians to be blameless as sons of God: “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

Are you living in such a way that people can see your life and follow your example? Can people see your marriage, your parenting, your speech, your conduct, your faith, your interaction with your brethren and hold you up as an example they want to follow? From watching your life, can they see that you love God and are walking daily with Him? (Genesis 5:24).

The power, purpose and importance of an exemplary life is set forth in this poem: “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I’d rather have one walk with me than to merely show the way.”

Jesus shows the power of an exemplary, godly life in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13-16). A good example can lead others to Christ. An unbelieving husband may be won by the godly life of the wife who might not be won by the word (1 Peter 3:1-2).

If there is a book that is written about you, how would it read like? Will it be pages and pages of good things about you? Will you be an angel or a devil? “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Let it be a blank sheet of paper when someone tries to write something negative about us.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.