As we now enter the final stage of our journey through the Book of Acts, something I pray for us is the perseverance we see exercised in the Believers, transforming them from simply being available to Christ to becoming dynamic ambassadors for the Kingdom of Christ. Yet it was NOT an easy road. As we have seen in the essence of the Gospel, Jesus didn’t come to find self-reliant people, but came to shape needy people into dynamic instruments used in His hand. This is the work of sanctification: Dismantling what we depended on for strength and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our thinking, and therefore, the manner in which we live in dependence on the resources of God.
You will notice how the Book of Acts concludes (Acts 28:30-31). Paul is under house arrest and leveraging those two years to 1) Proclaim the Kingdom of God; and 2) Teach about the Lord Jesus Christ. He did this ‘with boldness and without hindrance’. The fruit of this boldness would result in something that would have been considered impossible. Just 300 years later, 57% of the Roman Empire would embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord, despite the persecution. Now it is our turn!
The work of the Church is continuing to move forward, and we have a part to play, where each of us contributes to the sharing and testifying, through word and deed, of the greatness of Jesus. We all have room to grow. May we continue to cultivate the soil of our hearts from half-hearted followership to being whole-hearted in seeing Jesus not just as our Savior, but LORD! Remember, the results are left to Him. Our responsibility is to just simply be faithful.
