Acts 2:14-36
We all know someone who is very blunt; they say what needs to be said, and they keep on their way. It’s often viewed as a bad thing to be called a blunt person, but that doesn't always have to be the case. As we talk about often at Emmanuel, we must be willing to stand up for truth, but not by cutting people down and bashing them, but rather by sharing the truth in love. However, there comes a time when we must say the hard things. We see in Acts 2:14-36 Peter doing that very thing; he is speaking to a crowd of fellow Jews, telling them the hard things. I imagine that for Peter, this was something outside of his comfort zone. Imagine yourself standing up in a crowded space and telling them that the man who was just killed on the cross was the son of God!
“22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”
Peter did the hard thing, and as believers in Christ, we must be willing to also do things that are outside of our comfort zone. We need to be able to share the hard things with those who need to hear it (Of course, share in love) in hopes that seeds will be planted and souls will turn to Jesus Christ. As we read on in today's passage, we see the outcome of Peter’s obedience to the call, verses 37-39 tell us,
“37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Let’s allow Peter’s action to be an encouragement to us, to say the hard things in a way that allows people to see the love of Christ. We need to be bold and take the opportunities God gives us to plant seeds of salvation. Let’s make heaven crowded!
We all know someone who is very blunt; they say what needs to be said, and they keep on their way. It’s often viewed as a bad thing to be called a blunt person, but that doesn't always have to be the case. As we talk about often at Emmanuel, we must be willing to stand up for truth, but not by cutting people down and bashing them, but rather by sharing the truth in love. However, there comes a time when we must say the hard things. We see in Acts 2:14-36 Peter doing that very thing; he is speaking to a crowd of fellow Jews, telling them the hard things. I imagine that for Peter, this was something outside of his comfort zone. Imagine yourself standing up in a crowded space and telling them that the man who was just killed on the cross was the son of God!
“22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”
Peter did the hard thing, and as believers in Christ, we must be willing to also do things that are outside of our comfort zone. We need to be able to share the hard things with those who need to hear it (Of course, share in love) in hopes that seeds will be planted and souls will turn to Jesus Christ. As we read on in today's passage, we see the outcome of Peter’s obedience to the call, verses 37-39 tell us,
“37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Let’s allow Peter’s action to be an encouragement to us, to say the hard things in a way that allows people to see the love of Christ. We need to be bold and take the opportunities God gives us to plant seeds of salvation. Let’s make heaven crowded!
Posted in Devotional