In today's reading of Acts 14, we find a city divided over the preaching of the Apostles. And isn't that what happens today as well? Wherever the truth is preached, there is a divide...it's because the Word divides. The Bible tells us, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:12
Either we allow ourselves to be cut to the heart and are convicted to follow the Truth of God's Word, or we choose to oppose the Truth and fight against it. The same conflict that divided the city in the Apostles day is still dividing today.
"Obedience is the test of discipleship. It is the keeping of the commandments that proves the sincerity of our professions of love. When the doctrine we accept kills sin in the heart, purifies the soul from defilement, bears fruit unto holiness, we may know that it is the truth of God. When benevolence, kindness, tenderheartedness, sympathy, are manifest in our lives; when thejoy of right doing is in our hearts; when we exalt Christ, and not self, we may know that our faith is of the right order. “Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” 1 John 2:3. (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, p. 146)
It's interesting how quick people are to worship the creature rather than the Creator. We see how the people were slow to worship God, but they were quick to try to worship Paul and Barnabas when the lame man was healed. May we never take credit for any work--for all the glory belongs to God. I was also reminded of the quote from Inspiration that says, "The object of ministry is to keep self out of sight and to let Christ appear." (Manuscript 109, 1897) May this be our goal in all we do... to keep self out of sight and let Christ appear.
Tomorrow's Reading: Numbers 4-5 and Acts 15
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