Acts

I've been reading through Acts so I thought I'd look at a few verses and post my thoughts on them.

"The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." Acts 5:41

These days we Christians tend to try to avoid suffering as much as possible. We think that if we love God then our lives will be pretty free of it. When that turns out not to be the case (and it usually does end up that way) we start questioning God's love for us. However, Jesus pretty much promises us that suffering will come when we follow Him. The apostles here rejoiced cause they got to share in the suffering that Christ Himself also endured. Those who suffer for Jesus will be blessed by Him. Our suffering now will make our glory in the future even sweeter, and the Kingdom of God will grow even more in this world.

"Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?'" Acts 5:3

Satan exists, and he uses his power to try to tempt us into sinning against God and against others. The thing is we can't always tell, if ever, when and how much Satan is influencing our thoughts at a certain time. I doubt Ananias even conceived of the notion that Satan influenced his actions and "filled his heart." It's too subtle for us to notice until it's too late. That's why I thank God for His Holy Spirit, which frees us from the slavery of sin and gives us the power to walk away from it and towards Him.

"Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:15-17

This happens after Paul performs a miracle in Lystra. He heals a man who was lame and the people there start thinking that he and Barnabas, who was with him, were Gods in human form. Paul says the quote above, trying to convince them not to do it. The part that catches my attention is the last sentence. Even though the unbelievers continue to sin and rebel against God, He still pours out His grace on them on this earth. He provides unbelievers everywhere with food, water, money, sex, children, sunlight, and glad hearts. All good things that they do not deserve, yet He gives it to them out of his sheer grace. We are commanded to do the same by our God. To be gracious to unbelievers and to those who hate us, dispite the fact that they don't deserve it. Truth is, believers don't deserve it either! We are completely illdeserving, yet God poured out grace on us by saving us, so we pour out grace on others out of our joy, gratitude, and hope in future grace.

I think I'll stop here today. I'll have more later.