History is His Story and mine too

History was not my favorite subject in school. My mind tends to think about ‘now’ rather than the past or the future. However, history buffs would love the book of Acts and the narrative in Luke’s Gospel. One tells the story of Jesus and the other documents what happened after Jesus returned to heaven.

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1–4)

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:1–5)

These two are addressed to the same individual, Theophilus and linked by the phrase, “the former treatise.” The first concerns what “Jesus began both to do and teach” and the other records the continuation of that ministry by “the apostles whom he had chosen.”

These two books cover the history of the first sixty or sixty-five years of Christianity with about thirty years included in each. Luke begins the story of the Good News of salvation in a manger in Bethlehem and ends at the hub of the Empire in Rome. He opens with the witness of the shepherds in the fields of Judea and finishes with the salutations of saints in Caesar’s household.

(Paul) lived there (in Rome) two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:30–31)

Paul’s ministry was successful at the highest level of the Roman empire. He later reports, “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.” (Philippians 4:22)

Acts tells how the church was formed and grew. At first, the good news went to the Jews, but as they began to reject it, Luke describes a shift in focus. God moved Paul to go to the Gentiles. As he did, he gave his reason by citing an Old Testament prophecy, Isaiah 6:9-10:

‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Acts 28:26–27)

When I read history, I think of those who insist that history repeats itself, mostly because we don’t learn from it. This is not what God intends. He wants me to read it with purpose:

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

From this verse, the believers in those early days were encouraged to read their OT history and gain instruction from it. God tells me to read Acts that I might be encouraged too. As I take a big-picture look at the history Luke recorded, I can see instruction and encouragement from God.

First and foremost, I am to share the good news with those already interested in spiritual truth. They believe there is a God and that a relationship with Him is possible. They should be receptive.

Second, if those who seem receptive are not, I should share Christ with all people as Paul did. God’s pattern is that His people proclaim the kingdom of God and teach people about Jesus Christ with boldness.

Finally, I already know what Acts says and the bottom line of this historical book tells me to obey God and trust the Lord for the results.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I feel like a very small part of the Body of Christ. However, the history of the church shows that You use Your people to build Your kingdom as long as we do what You ask. Help me see the instruction in this book. Grant me the endurance and encouragement that I need for obedience. I am living in a messed up world and need the hope that comes from You.

Anything is forgivable except . . .

Jesus spoke of a sin that could not be forgiven. Theologians debate the identity of this sin, maybe because the simple answer is too simple? It can be found in this passage:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:17–21)

Those who refuse the Son of God after being given all they need to know about who He is and His offer of salvation are unforgivable — unless of course their minds are changed and they decide light is better than darkness. God will forgive their unbelief as soon as it is confessed as sin, but while it remains, their sin of unbelief in the face of knowing the truth is unforgivable.

Tozer says that anyone concerned about having committed the unpardonable sin may be sure he or she has not! Consider the opposite, those Pharisees who believed themselves to be righteous. They felt no need for repentance, no sorrow for sin, no guilt for unbelief. They had seen Jesus in action doing what only God can do and still said NO. They were in a state of unforgiveness.

My prayer list has many names of those who do not believe in Jesus. Some of them seem clueless about sin and their need for salvation. Some know the Gospel but insist, “don’t need that.” Not everyone is at the same place, but what can God do with people who know He exists, know that they are sinful, know that Jesus offers salvation, yet they refuse to accept it? they love darkness and are in that place of rejecting the Lord. They might change their minds if certain things happen to persuade them, but only God knows what that would require.

I’m convinced that salvation by grace happens when people hear the Gospel and are granted faith to believe it because the Spirit of God puts in them His new life. This happens in an instant and is totally a work of God. No one earns or deserves it. Grace is freely bestowed, and how God does it and even who He chooses to bless with it is a mystery. None of us deserve it and all of us are oblivious to our need until He opens our eyes. To me, it is also a mystery why anyone would say NO to God’s grace.

This means two practical things. One is to pray to God for people by name. Only He can give them new life. Prayer is part of the battle for that to happen.

The other is to share the gospel whenever I can — because faith comes by hearing. That new life is a gift received through hearing God speak. He might use the mouths or pens of His servants. He can also use the whispers of the Holy Spirit. Whatever He uses, those who love their sin and plug their ears are already condemned.

^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, because of Your great grace, You forgive all sin, except that sin of rejecting this good news, of saying no to the gift. Yet also, because of Your great grace, You are able to overcome all resistance and bring sinners to the foot of the Cross and out of that dangerous place. You are amazing!

Speak up? Or shut up?

Someone in my family has good news, but she told me, “Don’t tell anyone yet, until it is official.” 

It’s not easy to sit on her good news. I want everyone to know. Yet am I like that with the good news about Jesus Christ? Or do I sit on it? Could I learn something from the shepherds who were the first ones to hear it?

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10)

When I hear something that sounds too good to be true, my nature is to check it out. Is this wishful thinking? Some sort of fraud? Overblown? After years of checking out many things and being disappointed, I’ve concluded if something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. 

The shepherds may have been skeptical too. After an explanation and seeing a host of angels, the shepherds could have wondered if they were dreaming. They decided to check it out before telling anyone what they heard and saw. Perhaps they didn’t want anyone to think they had made it up or find out later that they were wrong. So after “the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’” (Luke 2:15) They were not disappointed.

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:17–20)

I notice two things here. The shepherds were told this news was for everyone so as soon as they checked it out, it was “made known.” They did what they were told and those who heard it marveled at what they said.

But Mary had not been told to tell everyone. Even though she treasured the good news, she pondered what was said in her heart, not saying anything to anyone, at least not at that time.

As for me, I’ve checked out the good news of Jesus Christ. I know it is true and I know that I am supposed to tell others. However, there are times to be quiet. Jesus spoke of “not casting my pearls before swine” meaning that I should not share with those obviously belligerent to the message. He also said that I must allow the Holy Spirit to put words in my mouth. From that, I conclude if the words are not there, then I must be silent. 

I’ve also noticed that I tend to get this backwards. When I should speak, I tend to shut up, and when I should shut up, I tend to speak. 

I’m not alone in that regard. For instance, Jesus healed a man and said to him, “'See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.' But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town….” (Mark 1:44–45) 

Some Christians talk too much, but most of us are more guilty of being silent when we should speak. We have good news, first shared by the angel to the shepherds, then given to us through the Word of God and the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples shared that good news. They were even told by religious authorities to stop talking about Him. By this time, and because they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they knew how to respond and their response is a lesson to me…

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:17–20)

May I be more like them.