Scripture:
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Observation:
From the beginning of the chapter to this point, the Jewish Christians, these new believers, who are still working out what they believe, realize for the first time that salvation through Jesus isn’t just a jewish thing, it is an everyone thing. This is powerful to see. It is also amazing for us as we walk through life realizing that as we grow in the Lord, our heart will be shaped & molded and changed to more align with Jesus & his mind.
Application:
These men who held the belief that the Cross was only for Jews were really devout men, believers, saved. They really knew Jesus. They had walked with Jesus but they were wrong on this reality. They thought Jesus only saved the Jews or only was for the Jews. But they learn here that was not true. They wake up to the truth of gospel that it is for all people groups, all tribes, all tongues.
As we grow in the Lord, we are constantly being molded and shaped and matured. The theological word is: Sanctified. Daily, we are becoming more like Jesus, not only in our actions but our thinking as well. As we gaze on Jesus, through the Word, we become more like him. Expect it. Assume it. Don’t be surprised when it happens.
We aren’t where we are supposed to be, we are growing & changing. And that is a good thing.
Prayer:
I pray that I would see, that our church would see that you are growing & maturing us and sometimes that takes hard conversations, that takes wake up call moments. Let us be ready for those times Lord!