Still reading in Acts, chapter 4 today, when Peter and John were arrested after healing the lame man. The priests were gathered together after hearing them out, trying to decide what to do. They wanted to arrest them, but truly had no real grounds.
Vs. 13 (emphasis mine)
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
Whoa.
These uppity priests could tell that Peter and John had once walked with Jesus. They could sense the Lord's presence on them, near them, around them. It was obvious, even to those who didn't believe.
I want my faith to be obvious like that. Not so subtle that people wonder what I believe. I want them to feel it, see it, hear it, practically taste it in the air around me. THAT's faith.
What about you? How do you make your faith known? Do people see it in you? On you? Around you? What can we do to show it in a way that's strong but inviting, not strong and a turn-off?
I think one way of living that kind of blatant faith is to be different. If we're not doing anything differently than the non believing world around us, how will anyone know? What will they see other than hypocrisy? Peter and John were acting different, to be sure - they healed a lame man! Now usually in today's times God doesn't work through us in that same way - so we can't necessarily go around performing miracles to show our faith =)
But what else did Peter and John do? Let's see. They stood up for themselves despite persecution. They were basically arrested for preaching, and during their trial, they were so bold that they preached again, and in such a clear cut manner the priests were knocked a little off kilter. As an author, how awesome is it to know that your words - the words God inspired within you - had such power? Power to save, to lead, to coax. I want to write like that. I want the words God gives me for my stories to lead others to Him.
Pretty heavy stuff for a Thursday, but what do you think? =)
PS - the priests let Peter and John go with a warning. (wonder how much they heeded that one! ha!)
6 comments:
Betsy Ann, Great blog today! Heavy but important!
Thanks
Thought-provoking stuff for a Thursday.
I always love your insights. :)
I love your heavy thoughts for Thursday! Today I will try to be different--even if it's only here at home :)
'For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.' THAT is what the priests must have realized. Am I there yet? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Thanks for the challenge!
"Dare to be different." I like that!
Thanks for sharing this, Betsy. It's a challenge we need to all pray about.
This is great stuff, Betsy! It is a daily challenge really - to wear my Christ so others can see Him. Isn't that what witnessing is about? We, as Christians, have this amazing calling to continue spreading the gospel and we can do it is so many ways: evangelizing, by example and by using the gifts we've been given. Either by one or all, we can make a powerful impact. Thanks for the reminder!
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