READING: Acts 12-14
“We also are men, of like nature with you.”
Acts 14:15
The people of Lystra tried to worship Paul and Barnabas, for they had healed a man who had been crippled from his birth. He had never walked, but he did so when Paul reacted to his faith by saying, “Stand upright on your feet” (Acts 14:10). The people assumed Paul and Barnabas must be Hermes and Zeus visiting from the heavens, and the priest of Zeus actually brought the necessary resources to begin offering sacrifices to the “gods.”
When Paul and Barnabas realized what was happening, they quickly halted the people and began crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you” (Acts 14:15). Moreover, they gave them this great word: “We bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them” (Acts 14:15). The apostles wanted the Lystrans to know that there is one God who is creator, and He is the living God worthy of their worship. All the worship of false gods would have been foolish indeed.
This text, though, raises another issue for me. I trust that none of us wants to be seen as a god; surely, all of us know the silliness of that very idea. I do wonder, though, how many of us—beginning with me—might quickly be enamored by the praises of a crowd who sees us as much greater than we really are. Somehow, I think we might all be susceptible to pride in such a situation. . . .
ACTION STEPS:
- Ask God to show you if you’re losing the battle with pride.
- Thank God that He who is the Creator is also our Redeemer.
PRAYER: “Creator of heaven and earth, I praise You today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: James 1-5
