Readings for today: Acts 5-8
I have been preaching the gospel for almost twenty-five years and I am always amazed at the range of people’s responses. Some respond with indifference. Some respond with anger and frustration. Some respond with fear. Some respond out of selfishness. Some respond with faith. The same was true for the apostles. And whenever I find myself discouraged with how people respond to the good news of all God has done, I go back to their words and remember my calling is not to convince or convert but simply to bear witness. To share what God has done for me and for the world and trust the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts to bring them to saving faith. Listen again to how the apostles put it when they are on trial before the Sanhedrin, “We must obey God rather than people. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging him on a tree. God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:29-32 CSB)
Fear. Some respond to the gospel call with fear. Fear over a loss of control. Fear over a loss of influence. Fear over a loss of power. The religious authorities of their day feared the possibility of rebellion and what that mean for their country. They feared what the Romans might do in response to a messianic movement. They were afraid of losing their own positions of authority and power and influence. They were afraid of being blamed for what happened to Jesus. Many today fear the loss of control. They want to retain the power to be the captains of their own fate and the masters of their own destiny and Jesus threatens all of it.
Selfishness. Some respond to the gospel out of selfishness and greed. Like Simon, they want to make a deal with God. They want the power of God without the sacrifice. They want all the benefits of following Jesus without actually surrendering their lives to Him. They want to perform miracles and do all kinds of good things but for selfish ends. They use Jesus to promote their brand. They use Jesus to build wealth. They use Jesus to increase their influence. But their hearts are not right before the Lord and they place themselves in grave danger as a result.
Faith. Some respond to the gospel with true faith. Like the Ethiopian eunuch, they are humbly and honestly seeking God. They long for something more out of life. They’ve become convinced that the way of this world leads to a dead end. There is nothing in this world that can truly satisfy. So they search for significance. They search for meaning and purpose. They search for God and God meets them in a powerful way. Fulfilling His promise to be found by all who seek Him honestly and humbly.
Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays