Are We Listening?

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Acts 2:22-24: [Peter is preaching,] "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man clearly attested to you by God with powerful deeds, wonders, and miraculous signs that God performed among you through Him, just as you yourselves know - this man, who was handed over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you executed by nailing Him to the cross at the hands fo the Gentiles. But God raised Him up, having released Him from the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held in its power."

On the Day of Pentecost nearly 2000 years ago, St. Peter's sermon to the crowd began with these words. Peter and the rest of the first generation Christians and Pastors started a movement that has continued worldwide since that day. Billions of people were, are, and will be saved when they believe and know these words. These words are the center and core of Christians all over the world. These words mean everything for not only Christians. These words are for non-Christians too who need the truth of grace and salvation that God put into place.

Are we still listening to the words? Do we care what God is saying? Or do we just dismiss it, dismiss God's Words as "irrelevant and out of touch." Do we, as people, think we need to be saved? "Saved from what?" is the next question. We need saving from ourselves. We need God to show us that there is more than satisfying our desires, goals along with following meaningless gods. Without God's Words, our lives are chaotic, selfish, and headed for eternal life in hell. We need God and His grace that came to us through Jesus and what He did.

These are not empty words. This is not meaningless chatter that Christians and Pastors say. There is power in the words for the words are "The Word of God." These words bring life, salvation, mercy, and grace. These words bring Jesus to us. The words convict hearts, change lives, and reorient people out of self and into Jesus. 

So to all the Christians who are reading my words: allow them to resonate and lead you to ask, "What shall I do? How will I put my faith into greater action with a fuller purpose?" To all the non-Christians who are reading my words: allow them to resonate and lead you to ask, "What shall I do?" My response is, "Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!" (Acts 2:38).

What do you think? Let's share some words with one another. God, be with our dialogue and fill it with Your purpose, amen.