The Good, The Bad and The Ungodly

The Good, The Bad and The Ungodly
by
February 01, 2018
in Obedience, Priorities, Walking With God
1 Comment
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The setting of Acts chapter 8 brings us to events that followed the martyrdom of Stephen and the spread of persecution throughout Jerusalem. It was time for at least one of the disciples of Jesus to move into action. Philip had decided to take the Gospel message to Samaria, the region of half-breeds, outcasts and idol worshipers. We are not told what inspired him to do so, but one thing is clear, he knew he must to do it. And it was a good thing he did because it was the first indicator that at least one disciple was going to follow the Great Commission, and many would come to saving faith in Christ as a result.

Spreading the gospel was a priority to Philip, and that was GOOD.

Among the first converts was the local sorcerer named Simon and when he saw that Philip had the ability to do signs and healings that were not concocted through spells and potions, but by the true power of Almighty God, he wanted it!

I guess you can’t blame him. As a sorcerer (illusionist or conman) he was accustomed to the attention and notoriety of the people. When Peter and John showed up in town and started laying hands on people and all sorts of supernatural things began happening, it was more than Simon could bear. So, he decided to make an offer to buy this power and perhaps become a prominent player in this traveling show.

Simon mistakenly thought the power of the Holy Spirit of God could be purchased with filthy money. That was BAD.

Simon’s offer (his want) was so despised by Peter that he pretty much cursed him to death because Simon’s request was motivated by a lust for power and recognition. Peter’s fiery words in Acts 8:20-23 sends a clear message that such ambitions are never to be associated with a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ.

As self-serving as Simon’s desire appears to have been, there was something far more sinister happening. The remaining disciples who, like Philip, had been entrusted with the Great Commission by the Lord Jesus himself, had apparently remained in Jerusalem despite the clear marching orders to move out.

Perhaps they were satisfied with the measure of Jewish converts and felt the current size of the church was manageable. It’s possible the disciples were focusing on evangelizing the familiar territory first and may have enjoyed a measure of popularity among the people. They may have rationalized that their level of influence and authority would most likely suffer if they traveled abroad making the mission far more difficult.

Truth is we don’t know why the other disciples stayed while Philip set out on his own. What we do know is that whenever a disciple is reluctant to do what the Lord is clearly calling him or her to do, no matter what reason they give to excuse themselves, it is UGLY…or better yet UNGODLY.

We see later in the Book of Acts how the Lord would use Saul’s zealous ambition against the spread of Christianity to drive the disciples out into the world (Acts 8:1-3).

As church-age disciples, we often need to be shaken out of our comfortable surroundings, so our priorities can be adjusted so we will take the necessary steps upward toward fulfilling the plan of God for our lives.

 

For Consideration

  • The smallest shift in priorities can yield great results when the power of God is leading a humble and willing disciple.
  • When are you least likely to seek the Lord’s wisdom and strength?

When you’re confident in what you are doing?

When you’re seeking His blessings for your own agenda?

What do you think?

  • Can you remember a time when you set out without the support of others closest to you, to follow the Lord’s leading in your life?
  • During the early days of the church there was terrible persecution and many disciples lost their lives. God could have stepped in at any time and intervened though He chose not to.
  • Has God ever used a person, circumstance or trial in your life to motivate you to a place of obedience? Would you be willing to share that in your group?
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Comments

  1. Kathryn Boisvert : February 1, 2018 at 3:25 pm

    Kerin, you might as well have been writing about my life at least the first half a dozen sentences or so. I too would not have chosen the path that God put me on but it is driven me to a deeper more intimate place with the Holy Spirit and I would not trade that for anything ! I was the first one in my family to become a true Christian filled with the Holy Spirit in 1980. I was mocked a bit and I was ridiculed behind my back. I was called a “Jesus Friek,”! The way I look at it now that was there was enough evidence to condemn me as a Christian so that’s a good thing, right? I had to go to loan because nobody else understood their need for a savior the way that I did. I came to Christ as a result of a physical miraculous healing. There was much evidence to support that it was miraculous but still my family did not believe ); for years! The Lord is so good he has always put Christian sisters in my path along the years and this has helped me to grow!

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