Further and Deeper

“Simon had practiced magic… and amazed the people.., saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention.., saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great…^‘ But when they believed Philip as he preached about… Jesus Christ, they were baptized… Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip…

“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also…’ Peter said,.. ‘You thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!.. Your heart is not right before God.  Repent…’ Simon answered, ‘Pray for me…’

“An Ethiopian eunuch, a court official,.. had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot,.. reading Isaiah… Philip ran to him… and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?..’ Then Philip.., beginning with this Scripture, told him about Jesus.” Acts 8:9-10,12-13,18-22a,24a,27-28,30-31,35

Following the early church’s growth traces individuals scattering abroad and coming along. While the disciples had spent days on months on years with Jesus, new converts were learning of faith in Him for the first time. Initial belief sparked inquisitive conversations, reordered mindsets, and eventual revamped lifestyles. By the Holy Spirit and over time, new converts grew further and deeper in conformity to Christ-likeness. Understanding, outlook, and priorities did not all change immediately, but change they did as the church caught fire.

God’s people have different experiences with salvation. For some, the awakening is drastic; for others, gradual. The Lord’s work of conviction and conversion is individual and exquisite, always according to His grace and sovereign plan. Our responsibility is to heartily submit to His work in our own lives, and zealously take part in others’ journeys as He leads.

To be prideful at our maturity is to demean His grace, and to be impatient at another’s pace is to be focusing on the wrong thing. He chooses whom He will and executes according to His divine timetable. It is our privilege as believers to yield to His sanctification personally and to participate in His wider work at His bidding. (Acts 9:10-20)

What is our attitude toward those young in faith? Are we critical at their slowness to ‘get it’ or to change as we see fit? Do we nitpick at opinions and lifestyle choices without taking time to understand or address their origins? Do we expect immediate maturity when they have no biblical foundation or example? How willing are we to risk expending the time, energy, and attention to come alongside in love to teach, lead, and support them as they grow? (Acts 10:19-24,34-48)

Are we developing ourselves? Have we come to a standstill in our understanding and exercise of faith, checking off rote devotion? Have we stagnated spiritually, grown cold toward rich fellowship, learning, deepening in Christ-likeness, serving to build up the church? Do we even care about the spiritual vibrancy of Christ’s Body in the dark world? How will we endeavor to grow through specific confession, prayer, and practice? (Proverbs 27:17; Ephesians 3:14-19; Philippians 2:12-16; Hebrews 10:22-25; 1 John 1:9)

God works by His Spirit in and through His people to conform us to His image and grow His church. How will we participate?

Father, keep me ever going further and deeper with You, to the strengthening of Your church and magnification of Your glory.