September 8

So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. — Acts 26:19 BSB

Heavenly visions are given to us to show what our lives can become. They aren’t meant to discourage us with their brightness and beauty, but to reveal what is possible for us, inspiring us to act.

Paul is an example of someone who immediately put his beliefs into practice. He didn’t treat truth as something to admire—it was something to live out. Once he saw his duty, he did it.

If we viewed all of Christ’s teachings and glimpses of heavenly things in this way, we wouldn’t live on such low levels as we often do. Agrippa seemed to sneer at Paul’s personal appeal, as if the preacher were trying to make him a Christian.

But why not? Paul wanted everyone to become a Christian. He wasn’t ashamed to be a Christian himself, and he saw no reason why Agrippa, even as a king, should be ashamed to be like him—“except for these chains.”