Readings:
II Chronicles 21
Acts 26:1-23
Focus:
Acts 26:14b: "It hurts to kick like this against the goad."
When Paul is telling the story of his conversion to King Agrippa, he mentions that when he had the vision of Jesus on the Damascus road, that Jesus says to him, "It hurts to kick like this against the goad."
Jesus was saying to Paul that when he acted contrary to what God wanted, it actually hurt Paul. Paul (or Saul as he was then called) was working hard to do what he thought was right, but it did not actually lead to peace and happiness for him; it ultimately led to unrest, sorrow, and pain. The only way to find true peace and joy is by following God's way.
People may think that they know the best way to find happiness, and that they don't need to think about what God wants. But it hurts to kick against the goad. The only way to get rid of the hurt is to turn our lives over to God and do what he wants. What he wants is actually what will make us happiest, and we will never be sorry.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Our Eyes Look to God
Readings:
II Chronicles 20
Acts 25
Focus:
II Chronicles 20:12b: "We do not know what we ought to do, but our eyes look to you."
King Jehoshaphat and his people of Judah were faced with a mighty horde of people who were coming to attack them, so they went to the temple and prayed to God to help them know how to defend themselves. As Jehoshaphat said, they didn't know what they ought to do, but their eyes looked to God. They knew that that was where their help lay.
The same is true for us whenever we face a daunting situation. Whether it is a difficulty at work, or a health problem, or something hard at school, or a problem in our family, or anything else, if we don't know what to do (or even if we think we do), our eyes should look to God.
It is always good to pray about a hard situation and to ask God to help us know what to do. It is definitely true that God's way of handling a situation will be better than anything else. Following his way is bound to be the best way to deal with a problem. When we don't know what we ought to do, may our eyes look to God!
II Chronicles 20
Acts 25
Focus:
II Chronicles 20:12b: "We do not know what we ought to do, but our eyes look to you."
King Jehoshaphat and his people of Judah were faced with a mighty horde of people who were coming to attack them, so they went to the temple and prayed to God to help them know how to defend themselves. As Jehoshaphat said, they didn't know what they ought to do, but their eyes looked to God. They knew that that was where their help lay.
The same is true for us whenever we face a daunting situation. Whether it is a difficulty at work, or a health problem, or something hard at school, or a problem in our family, or anything else, if we don't know what to do (or even if we think we do), our eyes should look to God.
It is always good to pray about a hard situation and to ask God to help us know what to do. It is definitely true that God's way of handling a situation will be better than anything else. Following his way is bound to be the best way to deal with a problem. When we don't know what we ought to do, may our eyes look to God!
Morals and Self-Control
Readings:
II Chronicles 19
Acts 24:17-27
Focus:
Acts 24:25: "But when the discourse turned to questions of morals, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became alarmed and exclaimed, 'Enough for now! When I find it convenient I will send for you again.'"
When Paul was in prison at Caesarea, Felix, the Roman procurator, often sent for him to talk to him. Felix was well educated and already knew quite a bit about the Christian movement. (He also hoped that Paul would give him a bribe.)
But Felix didn't like it if the talk became too personal, too much concerned with the ways in which Felix himself might have to change his life. When Paul started discussing morals and self-control, Felix hastily cut off the conversation.
There are a lot of people like that today. People don't want to hear about self-control. In fact, we are so aware of this that we usually don't even bring up the subject to begin with. Yet what a need people have to hear God's word for their lives. What a difference it could make between empty, frustrating lives that are always going wrong, and happy, fulfilled lives, if we only had the courage to tell them what they need to hear!
II Chronicles 19
Acts 24:17-27
Focus:
Acts 24:25: "But when the discourse turned to questions of morals, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became alarmed and exclaimed, 'Enough for now! When I find it convenient I will send for you again.'"
When Paul was in prison at Caesarea, Felix, the Roman procurator, often sent for him to talk to him. Felix was well educated and already knew quite a bit about the Christian movement. (He also hoped that Paul would give him a bribe.)
But Felix didn't like it if the talk became too personal, too much concerned with the ways in which Felix himself might have to change his life. When Paul started discussing morals and self-control, Felix hastily cut off the conversation.
There are a lot of people like that today. People don't want to hear about self-control. In fact, we are so aware of this that we usually don't even bring up the subject to begin with. Yet what a need people have to hear God's word for their lives. What a difference it could make between empty, frustrating lives that are always going wrong, and happy, fulfilled lives, if we only had the courage to tell them what they need to hear!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Loyalty and Obedience to God
Readings:
II Chronicles 18
Acts 24:1-16
Focus:
II Chronicles 18:13: "'As the Lord lives,' said Micaiah, 'I shall say only what my God tells me to say.'"
The prophet Micaiah has been summoned to prophesy before King Ahab of Israel, one of the most wicked kings that ever reigned over that nation. All the other so-called prophets are giving Ahab the answer he wants to hear, and Micaiah has been warned to give the same answer. And at first he does, speaking on his own behalf.
But when he is asked directly what it is that God tells him to say, Micaiah does not hesitate to announce it, although he knows that this will not be good for him. And indeed, since God's message does not please Ahab or the other prophets, the result for Micaiah is that he is struck by another prophet, and then thrown into prison and put on bread and water.
Yet, knowing this could happen, Micaiah says beforehand that he will say what God tells him to say, and that is what he does.
Micaiah's loyalty and obedience is to God before anyone else. That is the kind of loyalty and obedience that I want as well.
II Chronicles 18
Acts 24:1-16
Focus:
II Chronicles 18:13: "'As the Lord lives,' said Micaiah, 'I shall say only what my God tells me to say.'"
The prophet Micaiah has been summoned to prophesy before King Ahab of Israel, one of the most wicked kings that ever reigned over that nation. All the other so-called prophets are giving Ahab the answer he wants to hear, and Micaiah has been warned to give the same answer. And at first he does, speaking on his own behalf.
But when he is asked directly what it is that God tells him to say, Micaiah does not hesitate to announce it, although he knows that this will not be good for him. And indeed, since God's message does not please Ahab or the other prophets, the result for Micaiah is that he is struck by another prophet, and then thrown into prison and put on bread and water.
Yet, knowing this could happen, Micaiah says beforehand that he will say what God tells him to say, and that is what he does.
Micaiah's loyalty and obedience is to God before anyone else. That is the kind of loyalty and obedience that I want as well.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Our Hope of the Resurrection
Readings:
II Chronicles 17
Acts 23
Focus:
Acts 23:6b: "The issue in this trial is our hope of the resurrection of the dead."
Although it is partially true that the apostle Paul said this during his trial in Jerusalem in order to create dissension between his listeners, and gain some support for himself from some of them, it is also true that this was indeed the real issue in his trial. When Paul went around the near East preaching, it was about the resurrection of the dead, both the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of the resurrection of those who believe in Jesus.
It is that resurrection that is available to those of us who put our faith in Jesus. What a great promise!
II Chronicles 17
Acts 23
Focus:
Acts 23:6b: "The issue in this trial is our hope of the resurrection of the dead."
Although it is partially true that the apostle Paul said this during his trial in Jerusalem in order to create dissension between his listeners, and gain some support for himself from some of them, it is also true that this was indeed the real issue in his trial. When Paul went around the near East preaching, it was about the resurrection of the dead, both the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of the resurrection of those who believe in Jesus.
It is that resurrection that is available to those of us who put our faith in Jesus. What a great promise!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Because We Rely on God
Readings:
II Chronicles 16
Acts 22:17-30
Focus:
II Chronicles 16:8: "Did not the Cushites and the Libyans have a great army with a vast number of chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your power."
For most of his life, King Asa of Judah was faithful to God, but towards the end of his life he began to rely on military might instead. So God sent the prophet Hanani to him to rebuke him, and to remind him that God's strength was sufficient. God had helped Asa defeat the larger armies of the Cushites and the Libyans merely because Asa had put his faith in God.
It is true for us as well. God may not always help us defeat our foes as we at first define them. He may not always make us beat our rivals for a job opening, or do well in an interview, or put on a perfect dinner party, or stay healthy. But when we are faced with a foe that seems to be too much for us, God's strength will be sufficient for us. We will be able to handle the problem without utterly giving up. God will help us through.
And when we are done, we will know that we have in some way succeeded, because of God. We may lose a job, or still be desperately ill, but our spirits will be unconquered, and we will have unbeatable hope and bright happiness, because of God.
When we rely on God, because we rely on God, he delivers our enemies--failure, fear, feelings of insufficiency--into our power, and overcomes them.
II Chronicles 16
Acts 22:17-30
Focus:
II Chronicles 16:8: "Did not the Cushites and the Libyans have a great army with a vast number of chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your power."
For most of his life, King Asa of Judah was faithful to God, but towards the end of his life he began to rely on military might instead. So God sent the prophet Hanani to him to rebuke him, and to remind him that God's strength was sufficient. God had helped Asa defeat the larger armies of the Cushites and the Libyans merely because Asa had put his faith in God.
It is true for us as well. God may not always help us defeat our foes as we at first define them. He may not always make us beat our rivals for a job opening, or do well in an interview, or put on a perfect dinner party, or stay healthy. But when we are faced with a foe that seems to be too much for us, God's strength will be sufficient for us. We will be able to handle the problem without utterly giving up. God will help us through.
And when we are done, we will know that we have in some way succeeded, because of God. We may lose a job, or still be desperately ill, but our spirits will be unconquered, and we will have unbeatable hope and bright happiness, because of God.
When we rely on God, because we rely on God, he delivers our enemies--failure, fear, feelings of insufficiency--into our power, and overcomes them.
Monday, February 22, 2010
God Lets Himself Be Found
Readings:
II Chronicles 15
Acts 22:1-16
Focus:
II Chronicles 15:2b: "The Lord is with you when you are with him; if you seek him, he will let himself be found, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you."
King Asa of Judah sought the Lord, and the Lord was with him during his reign. When the Israelites sought God, he let himself be found by them.
God always wants us to seek him, and he is always willing to be found by us. If we forsake him, however--if we reject him and deliberately turn to self-centeredness and sin--then God will forsake us and leave us to the consequences of our own choices.
But whenever we seek him, God's love for us is so great that he will always let himself be found. He never hides from us. He will let himself be found.
II Chronicles 15
Acts 22:1-16
Focus:
II Chronicles 15:2b: "The Lord is with you when you are with him; if you seek him, he will let himself be found, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you."
King Asa of Judah sought the Lord, and the Lord was with him during his reign. When the Israelites sought God, he let himself be found by them.
God always wants us to seek him, and he is always willing to be found by us. If we forsake him, however--if we reject him and deliberately turn to self-centeredness and sin--then God will forsake us and leave us to the consequences of our own choices.
But whenever we seek him, God's love for us is so great that he will always let himself be found. He never hides from us. He will let himself be found.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
There Is None Like God
Readings:
II Chronicles 14
Acts 21:27-40
Focus:
II Chronicles 14:11a: "Asa called to the Lord his God and said, 'There is none like you, Lord, to help men, whether strong or weak....'"
When King Asa of Judah went out to battle, he did not rely merely upon his own military strength, but rather he called upon God for help. He knew where the greatest source of strength came from, for, as he said, there is none like God who is able to help humankind. No one can help us the way that God can.
God does not always help us in quite the way he helped Asa. He does not always help us win battles or competitions, or get promotions, or succeed in the eyes of the world. But he does help us get through the difficulties of life without despair; indeed, he helps us get through them with joy! He shows us purpose and gives us meaning. There is none like God to help us. No one can help us the way that God can.
II Chronicles 14
Acts 21:27-40
Focus:
II Chronicles 14:11a: "Asa called to the Lord his God and said, 'There is none like you, Lord, to help men, whether strong or weak....'"
When King Asa of Judah went out to battle, he did not rely merely upon his own military strength, but rather he called upon God for help. He knew where the greatest source of strength came from, for, as he said, there is none like God who is able to help humankind. No one can help us the way that God can.
God does not always help us in quite the way he helped Asa. He does not always help us win battles or competitions, or get promotions, or succeed in the eyes of the world. But he does help us get through the difficulties of life without despair; indeed, he helps us get through them with joy! He shows us purpose and gives us meaning. There is none like God to help us. No one can help us the way that God can.
The Lord Is Our God and We Have Not Forsaken Him
Readings:
II Chronicles 13
Acts 21:15-26
Focus:
II Chronicles 13:10a: "But as for us, the Lord is our God and we have not forsaken him...."
In opposing King Jeroboam of Israel, Abijah, King of Judah, great-grandson of David, remained true to God. Jeroboam, on the other hand, had turned to other gods, imitating the peoples around him.
It was surely easier to follow the prevailing cultures of the ancient middle East and set up statues of gods to be worshipped. The Israelites were alone in not having a physical representation of their god. Jeroboam succumbed to contemporary pressure and created golden statues of gods for his subjects to worship. (Jeroboam also had secret motives for doing this; if he kept his people from going to Jerusalem to worship, they would remain more loyal to him.)
Abijah, on the other hand, resisted the temptation to provide a visible "god" for his people to worship, and remained true to the commandments of God, in spite of cultural pressure. He did not forsake God. Neither do I want to.
II Chronicles 13
Acts 21:15-26
Focus:
II Chronicles 13:10a: "But as for us, the Lord is our God and we have not forsaken him...."
In opposing King Jeroboam of Israel, Abijah, King of Judah, great-grandson of David, remained true to God. Jeroboam, on the other hand, had turned to other gods, imitating the peoples around him.
It was surely easier to follow the prevailing cultures of the ancient middle East and set up statues of gods to be worshipped. The Israelites were alone in not having a physical representation of their god. Jeroboam succumbed to contemporary pressure and created golden statues of gods for his subjects to worship. (Jeroboam also had secret motives for doing this; if he kept his people from going to Jerusalem to worship, they would remain more loyal to him.)
Abijah, on the other hand, resisted the temptation to provide a visible "god" for his people to worship, and remained true to the commandments of God, in spite of cultural pressure. He did not forsake God. Neither do I want to.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Forsaking God When We Are Strong
Readings:
II Chronicles 12
Acts 21:1-14
Focus:
II Chronicles 12:1: "When Rehoboam's kingdom was firmly established and he grew powerful, he along with all Israel forsook the law of the Lord."
It is so tempting, when we are successful or strong or powerful, to think of our own achievements, and to give credit to ourselves for what we have done and become. It is easy at times like that to forget God.
That appears to be what happened to Rehoboam and the kingdom of Israel over which he ruled. He no longer felt the need for God. He was a powerful king; why did he need to turn to God?
When this happened to Rehoboam, God brought the King of Egypt to defeat Rehoboam and become his master, so that Rehoboam would know the difference between serving the Egyptian king and serving God. It is a good lesson to learn. Serving God is far better than being in bondage to people or things.
II Chronicles 12
Acts 21:1-14
Focus:
II Chronicles 12:1: "When Rehoboam's kingdom was firmly established and he grew powerful, he along with all Israel forsook the law of the Lord."
It is so tempting, when we are successful or strong or powerful, to think of our own achievements, and to give credit to ourselves for what we have done and become. It is easy at times like that to forget God.
That appears to be what happened to Rehoboam and the kingdom of Israel over which he ruled. He no longer felt the need for God. He was a powerful king; why did he need to turn to God?
When this happened to Rehoboam, God brought the King of Egypt to defeat Rehoboam and become his master, so that Rehoboam would know the difference between serving the Egyptian king and serving God. It is a good lesson to learn. Serving God is far better than being in bondage to people or things.
All I Want
Readings:
II Chronicles 11
Acts 20:19-38
Focus:
Acts 20:24: "For myself, I set no store by life; all I want is to finish the race, and complete the task which the Lord Jesus assigned to me, that of bearing my testimony to the gospel of God's grace."
As Paul is saying goodbye to the Christians at Ephesus, he tells them that he has a strong sense from the Holy Spirit that he is heading toward imprisonment and hardship. Yet, knowing this, he still goes, for this is the direction that he feels God is telling him to go.
Paul is able to do this confidently because he has his priorities right. He does not put his own wishes and desires ahead of God's; he puts God's first. But perhaps a better way to put this would be to say that Paul loves God so much, that God's will has become what Paul wants more than anything else. God's will is not something that Paul has to struggle against; he does not have to valiantly subdue his own will in order to do God's will. Paul truly wants to do what God wants for him, more than Paul wants to do anything else.
Those of us who love God are all at different stages in our journey toward becoming like Paul. Some of us are still struggling to want what God wants. It is good for us to have Paul as a model. I want to be like that; I want to want what God wants.
II Chronicles 11
Acts 20:19-38
Focus:
Acts 20:24: "For myself, I set no store by life; all I want is to finish the race, and complete the task which the Lord Jesus assigned to me, that of bearing my testimony to the gospel of God's grace."
As Paul is saying goodbye to the Christians at Ephesus, he tells them that he has a strong sense from the Holy Spirit that he is heading toward imprisonment and hardship. Yet, knowing this, he still goes, for this is the direction that he feels God is telling him to go.
Paul is able to do this confidently because he has his priorities right. He does not put his own wishes and desires ahead of God's; he puts God's first. But perhaps a better way to put this would be to say that Paul loves God so much, that God's will has become what Paul wants more than anything else. God's will is not something that Paul has to struggle against; he does not have to valiantly subdue his own will in order to do God's will. Paul truly wants to do what God wants for him, more than Paul wants to do anything else.
Those of us who love God are all at different stages in our journey toward becoming like Paul. Some of us are still struggling to want what God wants. It is good for us to have Paul as a model. I want to be like that; I want to want what God wants.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Working for the Good of Others
Readings:
II Chronicles 10
Acts 20:1-18
Focus:
II Chronicles 13: "The king gave them a harsh answer; he rejected the advice which the elders had given him."
When Solomon's son Rehoboam becomes king, he has a chance to win the people's love by listening to them and governing them in a way that will make life easier for them. He consults the elders, and this is their advice.
But Rehoboam also consults his young friends, and they give him advice that apparently conforms to what he wants--that he will rule the people even more harshly, which will contribute to Rehoboam's image as a great and powerful absolute king. This is the advice that Rehoboam follows.
This does not turn out the way that Rehoboam wants. In fact, the people rebel against him, and most of Israel tears itself away and places itself under a different king. The kingdom stays divided until the exile to Babylon, centuries later.
It is a good reminder to me that when we seek what we think will be to our own advantage, it often turns out to be to our disadvantage instead. But when we seek the good of others, it turns back on us and becomes our good as well. That's the way it works in God's economy.
II Chronicles 10
Acts 20:1-18
Focus:
II Chronicles 13: "The king gave them a harsh answer; he rejected the advice which the elders had given him."
When Solomon's son Rehoboam becomes king, he has a chance to win the people's love by listening to them and governing them in a way that will make life easier for them. He consults the elders, and this is their advice.
But Rehoboam also consults his young friends, and they give him advice that apparently conforms to what he wants--that he will rule the people even more harshly, which will contribute to Rehoboam's image as a great and powerful absolute king. This is the advice that Rehoboam follows.
This does not turn out the way that Rehoboam wants. In fact, the people rebel against him, and most of Israel tears itself away and places itself under a different king. The kingdom stays divided until the exile to Babylon, centuries later.
It is a good reminder to me that when we seek what we think will be to our own advantage, it often turns out to be to our disadvantage instead. But when we seek the good of others, it turns back on us and becomes our good as well. That's the way it works in God's economy.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Perceived Threats
Readings:
II Chronicles 9
Acts 19:23-41
Focus:
Acts 19:26b: "...he tells them that gods made by human hands are not gods at all."
When Christianity is preached, this life-changing message threatens the way of life of potential believers in several ways.
First, although it may turn them to new freedoms, it also may turn them to new discipline. They may no longer indulge in some of the behaviors that they are used to finding pleasurable.
Second, it may have to change their associations. If they have been spending time with people whose influence is bad, they may have to taper off their involvement with those people.
Third, it may threaten their financial wellbeing. If they have been making a profit off of vice or corruption, they will have to stop. Or if they have been earning a living from the worship of false gods (or, today, from overindulgence of self), they will have to stop that as well.
In the ancient world, the people in our passage who were threatened were worshippers of the goddess Diana. In our modern world, it is the things discussed above that may function as gods to people.
So there sometimes appears to be a tradeoff involved in becoming a Christian. Although when we are Christians it is overwhelmingly obvious to us that the benefits outweigh the losses--in fact, it is all benefit--unfortunately, there are people who never see the gain, but only focus on what they perceive as the threats.
We must love these people and continue to pray for and work towards their salvation.
II Chronicles 9
Acts 19:23-41
Focus:
Acts 19:26b: "...he tells them that gods made by human hands are not gods at all."
When Christianity is preached, this life-changing message threatens the way of life of potential believers in several ways.
First, although it may turn them to new freedoms, it also may turn them to new discipline. They may no longer indulge in some of the behaviors that they are used to finding pleasurable.
Second, it may have to change their associations. If they have been spending time with people whose influence is bad, they may have to taper off their involvement with those people.
Third, it may threaten their financial wellbeing. If they have been making a profit off of vice or corruption, they will have to stop. Or if they have been earning a living from the worship of false gods (or, today, from overindulgence of self), they will have to stop that as well.
In the ancient world, the people in our passage who were threatened were worshippers of the goddess Diana. In our modern world, it is the things discussed above that may function as gods to people.
So there sometimes appears to be a tradeoff involved in becoming a Christian. Although when we are Christians it is overwhelmingly obvious to us that the benefits outweigh the losses--in fact, it is all benefit--unfortunately, there are people who never see the gain, but only focus on what they perceive as the threats.
We must love these people and continue to pray for and work towards their salvation.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
God Is Not Tame
Readings:
II Chronicles 8
Acts 19:1-22
Focus:
Acts 19:15b: "Jesus I recognize, Paul I know, but who are you?"
Paul's preaching of the gospel was having such success and making such an impression, that all kinds of people became interested in it. This included some "itinerant exorcists." These people had not truly become believers in Christ. Instead, they thought of the name of Jesus as another method they could use to cast out demons, and they gave it a try. Instead of working for them, it backfired on them.
God is not ours to use as we wish. As C.S. Lewis says of the lion Aslan, who is the Christ figure in the Narnia books, God is not tame. God is god, and he will be Lord and accomplish his own purposes, and it is we who must serve him, and not the other way around.
Happily, God is a loving god, and what he wants is our good, so that when we let him be Lord, our good is accomplished better than we could ever do it ourselves.
II Chronicles 8
Acts 19:1-22
Focus:
Acts 19:15b: "Jesus I recognize, Paul I know, but who are you?"
Paul's preaching of the gospel was having such success and making such an impression, that all kinds of people became interested in it. This included some "itinerant exorcists." These people had not truly become believers in Christ. Instead, they thought of the name of Jesus as another method they could use to cast out demons, and they gave it a try. Instead of working for them, it backfired on them.
God is not ours to use as we wish. As C.S. Lewis says of the lion Aslan, who is the Christ figure in the Narnia books, God is not tame. God is god, and he will be Lord and accomplish his own purposes, and it is we who must serve him, and not the other way around.
Happily, God is a loving god, and what he wants is our good, so that when we let him be Lord, our good is accomplished better than we could ever do it ourselves.
Putting God First
Readings:
II Chronicles 7
Acts 18:12-28
Focus:
II Chronicles 7:21b-22a: "...they will ask, 'Why has the Lord so treated this land and this house?' The answer will be, 'Because they forsook the Lord the God of their forefathers....'"
Throughout the Bible one thing is very clear: we are to remain true to God. As Jesus says, the first and greatest commandment is that we shall love the Lord God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength. And out of the Ten Commandments, the first is that we shall have no other god but the Lord.
The worst sin of all is that we should make anything--anything at all--more important to us than God. This includes ourselves. Pursuing our own goals, thinking of our own comfort or enjoyment, even putting other people before us or doing church ministry, all of these are secondary to our relationship to God and seeking to do his will.
This is a very hard thing to do, but if we get our priorities straight, the rewards that come from our relationship with God are enormous. It is always a struggle for me, yet when I am in a right relationship with God, I would not trade that for anything.
II Chronicles 7
Acts 18:12-28
Focus:
II Chronicles 7:21b-22a: "...they will ask, 'Why has the Lord so treated this land and this house?' The answer will be, 'Because they forsook the Lord the God of their forefathers....'"
Throughout the Bible one thing is very clear: we are to remain true to God. As Jesus says, the first and greatest commandment is that we shall love the Lord God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength. And out of the Ten Commandments, the first is that we shall have no other god but the Lord.
The worst sin of all is that we should make anything--anything at all--more important to us than God. This includes ourselves. Pursuing our own goals, thinking of our own comfort or enjoyment, even putting other people before us or doing church ministry, all of these are secondary to our relationship to God and seeking to do his will.
This is a very hard thing to do, but if we get our priorities straight, the rewards that come from our relationship with God are enormous. It is always a struggle for me, yet when I am in a right relationship with God, I would not trade that for anything.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
God Knows Our Hearts
Readings:
II Chronicles 6:22-42
Acts 18:1-11
Focus:
II Chronicles 6:30b: "As you know a person's heart, reward him according to his deeds, for you alone know the hearts of all."
As Solomon continues to pray that God will consecrate the new temple he has built, he asks that God will hear the prayers of the Israelites and that he will forgive their sins.
For each person to be rewarded according to his own deeds was a somewhat revolutionary concept in the ancient Middle East, where people were punished not just for their own sins, but also the sins of their family members. But Solomon asks that God will consider the heart of each person who prays, and judge each person on that basis, on the basis of what each person has done. This is greater justice than what the Israelites may have been used to.
Even so, in the long run it is not enough for salvation, not for anyone. If we were all judged by God according to our deeds, compared to the righteousness that is necessary to measure up to God's righteousness, we would all fail. As Solomon says in verse 36, who is free from sin? Every one of us is guilty of at least petty sins such as selfishness or unfair anger. Yet we must be free from sin to enter salvation.
That is why God provided Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins, instead of us. All we have to do is to acknowledge our sins and acknowledge what Jesus has done, and God counts that then as if it were our own righteousness. God knows our hearts, and he knows if we love him and acknowledge him. This is good news!
II Chronicles 6:22-42
Acts 18:1-11
Focus:
II Chronicles 6:30b: "As you know a person's heart, reward him according to his deeds, for you alone know the hearts of all."
As Solomon continues to pray that God will consecrate the new temple he has built, he asks that God will hear the prayers of the Israelites and that he will forgive their sins.
For each person to be rewarded according to his own deeds was a somewhat revolutionary concept in the ancient Middle East, where people were punished not just for their own sins, but also the sins of their family members. But Solomon asks that God will consider the heart of each person who prays, and judge each person on that basis, on the basis of what each person has done. This is greater justice than what the Israelites may have been used to.
Even so, in the long run it is not enough for salvation, not for anyone. If we were all judged by God according to our deeds, compared to the righteousness that is necessary to measure up to God's righteousness, we would all fail. As Solomon says in verse 36, who is free from sin? Every one of us is guilty of at least petty sins such as selfishness or unfair anger. Yet we must be free from sin to enter salvation.
That is why God provided Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins, instead of us. All we have to do is to acknowledge our sins and acknowledge what Jesus has done, and God counts that then as if it were our own righteousness. God knows our hearts, and he knows if we love him and acknowledge him. This is good news!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Even Heaven Cannot Contain God
Readings:
II Chronicles 6:1-21
Acts 17:24-34
Focus:
II Chronicles 6:18b: "Heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!"
Acts 17:24: "The God who created the world and everything in it, and who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands."
Solomon built the temple that his father David had planned. When it was done, he led the people in prayers of consecration, and asked God to bless it. Solomon knew that God would not truly dwell there, but he asked that when people turned their hearts towards the temple in prayer, that God would hear, and consider the prayers as being made towards him.
Centuries later Paul used this same knowledge, that God cannot live in a human dwelling, to tell the Athenians about the true God. Although some scoffed, many were interested and ended up becoming believers.
Today we also know that God does not live in churches and temples. Instead, they are places where we can gather to worship God together. They can also be centers of ministry to help other people. Above all, they must be used for God. But we must always remember that God is infinitely greater.
II Chronicles 6:1-21
Acts 17:24-34
Focus:
II Chronicles 6:18b: "Heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!"
Acts 17:24: "The God who created the world and everything in it, and who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands."
Solomon built the temple that his father David had planned. When it was done, he led the people in prayers of consecration, and asked God to bless it. Solomon knew that God would not truly dwell there, but he asked that when people turned their hearts towards the temple in prayer, that God would hear, and consider the prayers as being made towards him.
Centuries later Paul used this same knowledge, that God cannot live in a human dwelling, to tell the Athenians about the true God. Although some scoffed, many were interested and ended up becoming believers.
Today we also know that God does not live in churches and temples. Instead, they are places where we can gather to worship God together. They can also be centers of ministry to help other people. Above all, they must be used for God. But we must always remember that God is infinitely greater.
Praising God with Music
Readings:
II Chronicles 5
Acts 17:16-23
Focus:
II Chronicles 5:13 & 14: "Now the trumpeters and the singers joined in unison to sound forth praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and the song was raised with trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise of the Lord, because 'it is good, for his love endures for ever'; and the house was filled with the cloud of the glory of the Lord. The priests could not continue to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."
I am a church musician (an amateur one), and I love these verses. It is wonderful to me that God responds to the music that we make in praise of him. Music in worship is a mystery. I don't know why it is special, but there is a place for it in worship. It is another way for us to speak to God.
I am in a community chorus that is preparing to do a Beethoven mass in May. When I'm practicing, I spend a lot of time thinking of the right notes, the right dynamics, and so forth. But I also want to think of the words and what the meaning is that I'm singing. When I sing "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord", I'm not just singing syllables; I'm singing praise to God. And God responds to that kind of praise. In ancient Jerusalem his response was visible. It's not visible to us now, but we can feel it if we open our hearts to him.
II Chronicles 5
Acts 17:16-23
Focus:
II Chronicles 5:13 & 14: "Now the trumpeters and the singers joined in unison to sound forth praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and the song was raised with trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise of the Lord, because 'it is good, for his love endures for ever'; and the house was filled with the cloud of the glory of the Lord. The priests could not continue to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."
I am a church musician (an amateur one), and I love these verses. It is wonderful to me that God responds to the music that we make in praise of him. Music in worship is a mystery. I don't know why it is special, but there is a place for it in worship. It is another way for us to speak to God.
I am in a community chorus that is preparing to do a Beethoven mass in May. When I'm practicing, I spend a lot of time thinking of the right notes, the right dynamics, and so forth. But I also want to think of the words and what the meaning is that I'm singing. When I sing "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord", I'm not just singing syllables; I'm singing praise to God. And God responds to that kind of praise. In ancient Jerusalem his response was visible. It's not visible to us now, but we can feel it if we open our hearts to him.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Women, Too
Readings:
II Chronicles 4
Acts 17:1-15
Focus:
Acts 17:4: "Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great number of godfearing Gentiles and a good many influential women."
Acts 17:12: "Many of them therefore became believers, and so did a fair number of Gentiles, women of standing as well as men."
I like it that the Bible mentions the women that became Christians. It shows a couple of things to me.
First, it shows that women mattered. To Christians, they weren't just second-class citizens or underlings. Their conversion was important, and so it was recorded.
Second, it shows that God cares enough about women to make sure this is in the Bible. He wants women (and I am among this number) to know that they are included.
This is not the only place in the Bible where women are shown to be important to God. I am grateful that the Bible shows this. All people are beloved by God.
II Chronicles 4
Acts 17:1-15
Focus:
Acts 17:4: "Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great number of godfearing Gentiles and a good many influential women."
Acts 17:12: "Many of them therefore became believers, and so did a fair number of Gentiles, women of standing as well as men."
I like it that the Bible mentions the women that became Christians. It shows a couple of things to me.
First, it shows that women mattered. To Christians, they weren't just second-class citizens or underlings. Their conversion was important, and so it was recorded.
Second, it shows that God cares enough about women to make sure this is in the Bible. He wants women (and I am among this number) to know that they are included.
This is not the only place in the Bible where women are shown to be important to God. I am grateful that the Bible shows this. All people are beloved by God.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
An Eternal Perspective
Readings:
II Chronicles 3
Acts 16:16-40
Focus:
Acts 16:27-28: "The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open and, assuming that the prisoners had escaped, drew his sword intending to kill himself. But Paul shouted, 'Do yourself no harm; we are all here.'"
I think that if I were unfairly thrown into jail in a primitive justice system, and an earthquake burst the doors open, I would lose no time in running away from there, thanking God for giving me a chance to escape. But Paul and Silas had a different idea. They didn't think of themselves; they thought of the jailer, who would have lost his life, had the prisoners escaped.
Not only did they save the jailer from death, they saved him from eternal death, because they told the jailer about salvation, and he and his entire household were baptized and became followers of Christ. Paul and Silas had an eternal perspective, and they were concerned for other people, not for themselves. They are good examples; I'd like to be like them.
II Chronicles 3
Acts 16:16-40
Focus:
Acts 16:27-28: "The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open and, assuming that the prisoners had escaped, drew his sword intending to kill himself. But Paul shouted, 'Do yourself no harm; we are all here.'"
I think that if I were unfairly thrown into jail in a primitive justice system, and an earthquake burst the doors open, I would lose no time in running away from there, thanking God for giving me a chance to escape. But Paul and Silas had a different idea. They didn't think of themselves; they thought of the jailer, who would have lost his life, had the prisoners escaped.
Not only did they save the jailer from death, they saved him from eternal death, because they told the jailer about salvation, and he and his entire household were baptized and became followers of Christ. Paul and Silas had an eternal perspective, and they were concerned for other people, not for themselves. They are good examples; I'd like to be like them.
Monday, February 8, 2010
From They to We
Readings:
II Chronicles 2
Acts 16:6-15
Focus:
Acts 16:10a: "As soon as he had seen this vision, we set about getting a passage to Macedonia."
It is just at this sentence in the Book of Acts that the narrative changes from third person to first person. Up until now it had been "they went", etc.; now it becomes "we went", etc. Apparently it is at this point that Luke, presumably the writer of Acts, joins the party.
I like little marks like this in the Bible. It reminds me that real people wrote the various parts of it. God was behind them, guiding what they wrote, but they were individuals, and what they wrote about really happened at a particular time and place. These texts are as well attested, if not better attested, than most of the Roman documents that are widely accepted. We can trust their validity. Someone really wrote this, who actually took part in it. It's true.
II Chronicles 2
Acts 16:6-15
Focus:
Acts 16:10a: "As soon as he had seen this vision, we set about getting a passage to Macedonia."
It is just at this sentence in the Book of Acts that the narrative changes from third person to first person. Up until now it had been "they went", etc.; now it becomes "we went", etc. Apparently it is at this point that Luke, presumably the writer of Acts, joins the party.
I like little marks like this in the Bible. It reminds me that real people wrote the various parts of it. God was behind them, guiding what they wrote, but they were individuals, and what they wrote about really happened at a particular time and place. These texts are as well attested, if not better attested, than most of the Roman documents that are widely accepted. We can trust their validity. Someone really wrote this, who actually took part in it. It's true.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Yes
Readings:
II Chronicles 1
Acts 15:36-16:5
Focus:
II Chronicles 1:11-12: "God said to Solomon, 'Because this is what you desire, because you have not asked for wealth or possessions or honor, or the lives of those hostile to you, or even long life for yourself, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; I shall also give you wealth and possessions and glory, such as no king before you has had, and none after you shall have."
When God asked Solomon what he would like, Solomon's prayer was an unselfish one: he wanted wisdom so that he could properly do the job that God had given him to do. In response, God gave him what he had asked for, plus the things that another person might selfishly have asked for.
When we ask for unselfish things, especially things in line with God's will, it is often likely that God will answer those prayers with a yes. And when we are doing God's will, he further gives us other things, things that we had not asked for, things that make us happy. They may not always be material things such as possessions or money, or even safety and health. But when we are doing God's will, he will always make us happy.
II Chronicles 1
Acts 15:36-16:5
Focus:
II Chronicles 1:11-12: "God said to Solomon, 'Because this is what you desire, because you have not asked for wealth or possessions or honor, or the lives of those hostile to you, or even long life for yourself, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; I shall also give you wealth and possessions and glory, such as no king before you has had, and none after you shall have."
When God asked Solomon what he would like, Solomon's prayer was an unselfish one: he wanted wisdom so that he could properly do the job that God had given him to do. In response, God gave him what he had asked for, plus the things that another person might selfishly have asked for.
When we ask for unselfish things, especially things in line with God's will, it is often likely that God will answer those prayers with a yes. And when we are doing God's will, he further gives us other things, things that we had not asked for, things that make us happy. They may not always be material things such as possessions or money, or even safety and health. But when we are doing God's will, he will always make us happy.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Giving His Gifts Back
Readings:
I Chronicles 29
Acts 15:12-35
Focus:
I Chronicles 29:14: "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give willingly like this? For everything comes from you, and it is only of your gifts that we give to you."
In praying before the assembled Israelites, King David utters a great truth, one that is easy to forget: everything that we have comes from God, and so when we give to him, we are only giving back what he gave us to begin with. It makes no sense, therefore, to clutch it to ourselves and be unwilling to give.
When I was a young girl, my grandmother told me that if I always tithed (gave 10% to the church), I would never be sorry. In Malachi 3:10a it says, "Put me to the proof, says the Lord of Hosts, and see if I do not open windows in the sky and pour a blessing on you as long as there is need."
God gives us things so that we will use them for him. In return, he will give us what we need. I have always found that to be true; my grandmother was right. All things come from God, and it is only his gifts that we give back to him.
I Chronicles 29
Acts 15:12-35
Focus:
I Chronicles 29:14: "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give willingly like this? For everything comes from you, and it is only of your gifts that we give to you."
In praying before the assembled Israelites, King David utters a great truth, one that is easy to forget: everything that we have comes from God, and so when we give to him, we are only giving back what he gave us to begin with. It makes no sense, therefore, to clutch it to ourselves and be unwilling to give.
When I was a young girl, my grandmother told me that if I always tithed (gave 10% to the church), I would never be sorry. In Malachi 3:10a it says, "Put me to the proof, says the Lord of Hosts, and see if I do not open windows in the sky and pour a blessing on you as long as there is need."
God gives us things so that we will use them for him. In return, he will give us what we need. I have always found that to be true; my grandmother was right. All things come from God, and it is only his gifts that we give back to him.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
By the Grace of Jesus
Readings:
I Chronicles 28
Acts 15:1-11
Focus:
Acts 15:11: "For our belief is that we are saved in the same way as they are: by the grace of the Lord Jesus."
In speaking to the gathered Christians in Jerusalem, Peter expressed one of the most basic truths of Christianity. We are not saved by being good or by following rules. We are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, given to us when we acknowledge that we are lost in sin and need his forgiveness, and that we accept what he did for us.
My husband used to tell a joke--and yet a story with truth in it--about a man who died and arrived at the gates of heaven. St. Peter asked him why he should be allowed into heaven. The man said, "I've been a nice person all my life and tried to respond kindly to people, and I took good care of my family."
St. Peter said, "That's not good enough."
The man said, "I was faithful to my wife, and never got drunk or committed any crimes, even white-collar petty crimes; I didn't even keep extra change."
St. Peter said, "That's not good enough."
So the man said, "I attended church almost every week, and gave 10% of my income most of my life."
St. Peter said, "That's not good enough."
Then the man said, "I supported missionaries and gave extra money to causes like world hunger, diseases, and other charities."
St. Peter said, "That's still not good enough."
The man, starting to feel desperate, said, "I took in foster children, and I helped at homeless shelters, and I took time off work to go on short-term mission trips where I built housing for desperately poor people."
St. Peter said, "That's still not good enough, and you've still got a long way to go in order to get close to being good enough."
The man felt overcome by despair at this point, and said, "It's only by the grace of God that I'll ever get in here!"
St. Peter said, "You're in!"
I Chronicles 28
Acts 15:1-11
Focus:
Acts 15:11: "For our belief is that we are saved in the same way as they are: by the grace of the Lord Jesus."
In speaking to the gathered Christians in Jerusalem, Peter expressed one of the most basic truths of Christianity. We are not saved by being good or by following rules. We are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, given to us when we acknowledge that we are lost in sin and need his forgiveness, and that we accept what he did for us.
My husband used to tell a joke--and yet a story with truth in it--about a man who died and arrived at the gates of heaven. St. Peter asked him why he should be allowed into heaven. The man said, "I've been a nice person all my life and tried to respond kindly to people, and I took good care of my family."
St. Peter said, "That's not good enough."
The man said, "I was faithful to my wife, and never got drunk or committed any crimes, even white-collar petty crimes; I didn't even keep extra change."
St. Peter said, "That's not good enough."
So the man said, "I attended church almost every week, and gave 10% of my income most of my life."
St. Peter said, "That's not good enough."
Then the man said, "I supported missionaries and gave extra money to causes like world hunger, diseases, and other charities."
St. Peter said, "That's still not good enough."
The man, starting to feel desperate, said, "I took in foster children, and I helped at homeless shelters, and I took time off work to go on short-term mission trips where I built housing for desperately poor people."
St. Peter said, "That's still not good enough, and you've still got a long way to go in order to get close to being good enough."
The man felt overcome by despair at this point, and said, "It's only by the grace of God that I'll ever get in here!"
St. Peter said, "You're in!"
Hardships
Readings:
I Chronicles 27
Acts 14:21-28
Focus:
Acts 14:22b: "They warned them that to enter the kingdom of God we must undergo many hardships."
Telling about undergoing hardships is not exactly good advertisng for Christianity! Yet it's true that many people do suffer for their faith. It hasn't happened much in the United States, but around the world there are many people who are persecuted, sometimes to death, because they are Christians.
In Egypt, Coptic Christians are being attacked, their daughters kidnapped and forcibly married and converted to another religion, and their churches burned.
In India, especially in Orissa state, Catholics and other Christians have been attacked, injured and murdered, and many Christians are still living in refugee camps, afraid to return to their home villages.
In Nigeria, Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, have been attacked in worship, killed and injured, and their churches burned.
In Indonesia, Christians have been beheaded, and seminaries have been attacked. Christians walking between villages have been waylaid and murdered.
These are just some of the things that have happened. Yet the Christians living in these places have not chosen to give up their faith. They would rather remain Christians and suffer these things, than give up their saving relationship with God and live in safety in this world.
My prayer is that if this type of persecution ever comes to me, that I would be as strong and steadfast as the brave people of these other lands.
I Chronicles 27
Acts 14:21-28
Focus:
Acts 14:22b: "They warned them that to enter the kingdom of God we must undergo many hardships."
Telling about undergoing hardships is not exactly good advertisng for Christianity! Yet it's true that many people do suffer for their faith. It hasn't happened much in the United States, but around the world there are many people who are persecuted, sometimes to death, because they are Christians.
In Egypt, Coptic Christians are being attacked, their daughters kidnapped and forcibly married and converted to another religion, and their churches burned.
In India, especially in Orissa state, Catholics and other Christians have been attacked, injured and murdered, and many Christians are still living in refugee camps, afraid to return to their home villages.
In Nigeria, Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, have been attacked in worship, killed and injured, and their churches burned.
In Indonesia, Christians have been beheaded, and seminaries have been attacked. Christians walking between villages have been waylaid and murdered.
These are just some of the things that have happened. Yet the Christians living in these places have not chosen to give up their faith. They would rather remain Christians and suffer these things, than give up their saving relationship with God and live in safety in this world.
My prayer is that if this type of persecution ever comes to me, that I would be as strong and steadfast as the brave people of these other lands.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Adored or Stoned
Readings:
I Chronicles 26
Acts 14:8-20
Focus:
Acts 14:11: "When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, in their native Lycaonian, 'The gods have come down to us in human form!'"
After Paul has healed a man who has been unable to walk since birth, the people of Lystra are so amazed that they believe that Paul and Barnabas are the gods Zeus and Hermes, and the priest of Zeus brings out an ox to sacrifice to them. It is only by hurried persuasion that the apostles are able to avert this.
But when some people from Antioch and Iconium arrive and start swaying the crowd against them, the people actually change their minds so far as to stone Paul, and he only escapes through the protection of the other disciples.
The crowds can be so fickle. General opinion can be changed so easily, for or against God's message. We cannot rely on popular opinion to decide what we think about God. We must instead rely solely upon what we have learned about him in the Bible, because that does not change according to the swing of the pendulum of popular thought.
I Chronicles 26
Acts 14:8-20
Focus:
Acts 14:11: "When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, in their native Lycaonian, 'The gods have come down to us in human form!'"
After Paul has healed a man who has been unable to walk since birth, the people of Lystra are so amazed that they believe that Paul and Barnabas are the gods Zeus and Hermes, and the priest of Zeus brings out an ox to sacrifice to them. It is only by hurried persuasion that the apostles are able to avert this.
But when some people from Antioch and Iconium arrive and start swaying the crowd against them, the people actually change their minds so far as to stone Paul, and he only escapes through the protection of the other disciples.
The crowds can be so fickle. General opinion can be changed so easily, for or against God's message. We cannot rely on popular opinion to decide what we think about God. We must instead rely solely upon what we have learned about him in the Bible, because that does not change according to the swing of the pendulum of popular thought.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Taking Risks
Readings:
I Chronicles 25
Acts 14:1-7
Focus:
Acts 14:1-3a: "At Iconium they went together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke to such purpose that Jews and Greeks in large numbers became believers. But the unconverted Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the Christians. So Paul and Barnabas stayed on for some time, and spoke boldly and openly in reliance on the Lord."
It's amazing to me that when opposition to Paul and Barnabas arises, what do they do? I would expect that they would lie low or get away from there. But instead they stay where they are for quite a while, and continue to speak out, and do so boldly.
It is something for me to remember, that when people are opposed to the Christian message, that I can choose between backing down, not making ripples, but never telling them the life-giving message, or risking offending them and then perhaps telling them what could save their eternal lives. Paul and Barnabas took the risk.
I Chronicles 25
Acts 14:1-7
Focus:
Acts 14:1-3a: "At Iconium they went together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke to such purpose that Jews and Greeks in large numbers became believers. But the unconverted Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the Christians. So Paul and Barnabas stayed on for some time, and spoke boldly and openly in reliance on the Lord."
It's amazing to me that when opposition to Paul and Barnabas arises, what do they do? I would expect that they would lie low or get away from there. But instead they stay where they are for quite a while, and continue to speak out, and do so boldly.
It is something for me to remember, that when people are opposed to the Christian message, that I can choose between backing down, not making ripples, but never telling them the life-giving message, or risking offending them and then perhaps telling them what could save their eternal lives. Paul and Barnabas took the risk.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Unworthy of Eternal Life?
Readings:
I Chronicles 24
Acts 13:44-52
Focus:
Acts 13:46: "But Paul and Barnabas were outspoken in their reply. 'It was necessary,' they said, 'that the word of God should be declared to you first. But since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.'"
When Paul and Barnabas do not find a welcoming response among the first people they speak their message to in Pisidian Antioch, they do not judge those people unworthy of eternal life. Instead, they say that those people have judged themselves unworthy of eternal life.
This is an interesting distinction. It implies that we must all take responsibility for our own responses. We cannot say, "Unfair! Those people said we were unworthy!" Instead, we must respond in such a way that shows that we consider ourselves worthy. That means that when we hear the same message of salvation that Paul and Barnabas were preaching, we accept it and make it our own.
I Chronicles 24
Acts 13:44-52
Focus:
Acts 13:46: "But Paul and Barnabas were outspoken in their reply. 'It was necessary,' they said, 'that the word of God should be declared to you first. But since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.'"
When Paul and Barnabas do not find a welcoming response among the first people they speak their message to in Pisidian Antioch, they do not judge those people unworthy of eternal life. Instead, they say that those people have judged themselves unworthy of eternal life.
This is an interesting distinction. It implies that we must all take responsibility for our own responses. We cannot say, "Unfair! Those people said we were unworthy!" Instead, we must respond in such a way that shows that we consider ourselves worthy. That means that when we hear the same message of salvation that Paul and Barnabas were preaching, we accept it and make it our own.
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