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Lindi McCartney, wife of Promise Keepers founder Bill McCartney, made a confession. In her book, From Ashes to Glory, she told how she became bitter at her husband — because he spent so much time away from home. He later reordered his priorities and saved their marriage, but she had to deal with her bitterness. Sometimes our self-centered attitudes keep us from being concerned for others. When the Apostle Paul reached Rome, after a terrible sea voyage, he called together his Jewish brothers. He explained to them why he appealed to Caesar. Here is what he said, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people.” Some believe Paul appealed to Caesar, not only to vindicate himself, but also to vindicate the Gospel. If Caesar declared him innocent, this decision might lessen persecution for other believers. Paul’s unselfish attitude can be a lesson for us today. Christ calls us to look out for the interests of others — not just our own.
