Have you ever been confronted with a decision to either accept something or reject it? What is the consequence for you when make that choice?
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. [47] For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" [48] When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. Acts 13:46-48 NIV
Reflection
The book of Acts, written by Luke, is an amazing account of what happened after the death of Jesus. Truly amazing because it is all about a bunch of folks talking about the fullfilled promise by God.
At the time there was no Christian faith. The area was indeed filled with various groups of people and of course the people who became believers that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Apparently, all the teachings leading up to this event were well understood by many. It also seemed that people had perspective on how and what the Messiah would be like.
Jesus was not exactly what they thought. It seemed many thought there would be some kind of military person who would rule the day. Seemed pretty naive to me when I think about that. But I guess what it also exposes that when you are in a certain frame of mind sometimes you can only see what you can see. Kind of hammers like to see nails.
However, the Jesus story, especially then is met with so many who didn’t want to believe it. It was too disruptive to their way of thinking and life to wrap their head around it. Sort of feels a bit like the way things are in our lives these days. Let me explore that with you.
In our modern time we have the benefit of history, the Bible, and some very clear perspective on the idea of God. There is no doubt different views of the Christian faith and we have a great deal of other faiths. There does seem to be a universal view that there is a God and even some who don’t want to really say it they talk about “The Universe”. Fundamentally, people probably know that we are totally insignificant in the grander scheme of whatever this is as compared to whatever it was that created all of this.
Now, we have “believers” who don’t really follow along with the teachings or even go after learning. After all, to live in a way that is fully pleasing to a creator are we really allowed to be selfish and not caring? Is it perfectly okay to manipulate, lie, cheat, take what isn’t yours, expect that you get to have everything, and you need not concern yourself with life after because this is all their is? For me, I don’t buy into this at all. I believe very clearly that we are here to serve one another but that doesn’t mean we serve everyone.
Back then so many rejected Jesus and after His eyewitnesses gave good testamony to what they experienced many still rejected it. Doesn’t that ring familar to perhaps how things are right now? How are you doing in hearing about what Jesus did and said about how to live? I know I’m very much a work in progress and am very lucky our Father in heaven is patient and loving.
So here’s the point. As we come along being more centered and connected we must also accept and not reject what we know is truth. We must not be only centered on our families but the broader world. We must not reject what God tells us and we should very much embrace it. After all, the last thing you need in your life is God moving on past you because you’ve had very little time for Him. Heck, there is an entire group of people still waiting for a Messiah, whatever that looks like for them, another group of people who don’t believe in God at all, and a bunch sort of ambivialent. No wonder the world is a mess right now.
Our role as connected and centered God people is to reflect that Holy Spirit that dwells inside of us. To do what we can to be in and stay in relationship with it. To enjoy a life serving God however He needs us to. I am pretty sure that when we do that the joy that is talked about is something we will experience.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word. Thank you for Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Thank you for bringing us a way that we can realize a personal relationship with you. Help us stay true to our faith in you. Help us take advantage of the approaches of our faith that lead us to being centered and connected on you. Allow us to be the best reflection of you that we can be. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our Lord, and Savior. Amen.
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