A fair hearing ∙∙

A fair hearing ∙∙

If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God! – Acts 5:38-39

Acts 17:10-12

10 That very night, the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.
11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

Antonio Inoki is widely regarded as Asia’s most outstanding professional wrestler. A true icon and pioneer in the wrestling world, he gained respect not only in sports entertainment but also in competitive arenas. He was an iconic figure and considered a bona fide “living” legend.

On June 26, 1976, in Tokyo, he faced boxing legend Muhammad Ali in a groundbreaking match billed as the “War of the Worlds.” This wrestler vs. boxer clash captivated global audiences and helped pave the way for the emergence of MMA, a sport generating over $1 billion annually by 2022.

On a different stage, Benajah Carroll engaged in a more spiritual form of wrestling. Born on December 27, 1843, in Carrollton, Mississippi, he began life as the atheist son of a Baptist minister. During the Civil War, he served with the Texas Rangers. Later, he attended a Methodist camp meeting where the Methodist minister challenged the audience to “make a practical, experimental test” of Christianity and to give Jesus Christ a fair trial. Skeptical but intrigued, Benajah stood and went to the front. He
accepted the invitation to “give God a try.”

Benajah explained that he was not converted. Instead, he came forward only to give Christianity a fair hearing. The Father had other plans. Surprisingly, during his journey home, Benajah found himself in a deep, personal struggle with God. Alone in the woods, he got down on his knees, wrestled spiritually, and “had it out with the Lord.” He soon found out that no one ever beats God in a wrestling match. Finally, he surrendered himself fully to the Father. This story serves as a reminder that no heart is beyond the reach of the Father, not even those that seem the most resistant and hardened (Christianity.com).

Throughout the centuries, who knows how many people have grappled with God, only to limp for the rest of their lives (Genesis 32:25)? Such a man was Jacob.

Jacob’s wrestling match is recorded in Genesis 32:24-31

24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break.
25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket.
26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

27 “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.”
28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”
31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip.

Who was the man Jacob wrestled? It was the Angel of the Lord, who is also the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. In the Old Testament, when the Angel of the Lord appeared, it was actually a pre-incarnate manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is known as a theophany.

Jacob held his own during the match, which ended in a draw, but he sustained an injury that would leave him crippled for the rest of his life. At the same time, however, the Lord triumphed. Jacob eventually surrendered to the Lord’s call, marking a significant transformation in his life.

Many simply reject God out of hand without ever giving him a fair hearing. How many of us have been willing to dare to argue with the living God? Never assume any heart is beyond the Father’s reach!

Both stories illustrate the power of resilience, faith, and the ultimate transformation that comes from surrender. Jacob spent his life wrestling with others, starting in the womb (Hosea 12:3).

REFLECT & PRAY

“The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself” (Charles Spurgeon).

Father, thank You for giving me the courage and opportunity to give You a chance. You broke through my closed mind, stirred my curiosity, and led me to search the Scriptures for truth. Through Your Word, You answered my questions, overcame my doubts, and revealed Yourself to me. Before I realized it, I became lion’s food.

INSIGHT

The Bible centers on the Lord Jesus Christ, portraying Him as its pivotal figure. Its theme is redemption and the promise of eternal life through Him. Jesus Himself declared that all Scripture points to Him:

John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!”

Many know of the Bible, but few actually know it. Have you taken the time to explore it for yourself? Have you examined its truth with an open mind? Are you ready to allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves? The Bereans offer us a model of this approach:

Acts 17:11 “The people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.”

Their noble character was evident in two ways. First, they listened with eagerness, recognizing the relevance of God’s message. Second, they examined the Scriptures daily to verify the truth of what they heard (Peterson). This openness and diligence led them to a deeper understanding. Anyone can follow their example.

The Greek word eugenes, translated as noble or open-minded, describes people who are “fair, thoughtful, and without prejudice.” This term perfectly captures the spirit of the Bereans. They were eager to hear Paul’s message, but they didn’t take his words at face value. Instead, they investigated for themselves, examining the Scriptures daily to ensure his teachings aligned with truth.

God has given us His Word and the ability to reason and discern. Are you prepared to give the Father and His Word a fair chance? The Bible’s core truths are clear and accessible to anyone willing to approach it with genuine curiosity.

Throughout history, millions have come to the Scriptures with doubts, questions, and skepticism. Misunderstood and often mischaracterized, the Bible invites open minds and careful examination. It challenges labels that don’t fit and instead reveals its contents to those ready to explore. It’s simple to label a bottle, but what if the label doesn’t correspond to its contents? The invitation remains simple.

Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

The Bible invites careful examination. Take the time to explore it and give the Father a fair chance to be understood. After all, what do you have to lose? Why not take up the challenge? Allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves.

You may discover something far greater than expected.

¯_(ツ)_/¯12-2-23

© Dr. H 2025