Our reading in Acts today finds the apostles thrown into jail for their escapades of miracles and bold preaching. One might think they would look to take a breather, having upset the religious leaders who were jealous, perhaps they should consider being a little more cautious. But no, an Angel stops by, opens the Jail door and sends them out again. There is no thought on the Apostles part about what will happen next. There is no discussion about possibly relocating their ministry, no, they follow the call of God on their lives, conveyed by an Angel no less, and get stuck in again, telling people about this new life!
This passage sure made me smile, try explaining to the temple guard and the chief priests what had happened, "we found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no-one inside" (Acts 5v 23) the Holy Spirit knocks spots off Houdini. Once released the Apostles are at it again, teaching and ministering to people in the temple courts.
I've heard it said, "If you lack enemies, you are not doing something worthwhile." The most worthwhile activity that we can do as a Christian is to proclaim or share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and this activity will inevitably cause us to have enemies
Reading through this section of Acts, the words of the Angel: "Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life," (Acts 5 v 20) are interesting. The angel didn't say go and share the ten ways you can make your life better, or these are the things you need to add on to what you do in order that you can be closer to God.?! No, Peter and John were commanded just as I think we are commanded, to share our lives with the people around us. To simply live life. Learn to live life from a changed perspective, essentially that's what this is all about. Being a Christ Follower is about more than just adding to our schedule daily bible readings and church meetings. It is about completely changing our lives! It's about us as the Church sharing the story of this new Life that we live in Jesus. I think so often we limit what the words of the bible are saying to eternity. That Jesus will bring new life in the next life. But we need to remember that this Life is for the taking now! Are you Kingdom Living?
When we begin to recognize this and allow God to change, not just things about our lives, but to change us completely. We live a new Life that isn't bound by the worries of this world, but is capable of resting completely in the arms of our loving Father. A Life that we can live in the authority of the Spirit, a life that has meaning and purpose.
Live the Life!
Dawn Milward
Read the bible in a year: Proverbs 14:15-24, 2 Samuel 14:1-15:12, Acts 5:12-42
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