Devotional - June 12, 2004

When things begin in order, they usually continue that way through to completion. In the same way, when things start wrong, more times than not they wind up unfinished and in disarray.

Many in the church at Jerusalem were scattered when persecution began and some of them found their way to Samaria. Scripture says one thing they had in common was the fact that they preached the Gospel wherever they went and people heard and accepted what they said as true. (Acts 8:4)

Salvation is a process that begins when you hear the word of God under conviction of the Holy Spirit. Those who choose to believe it usually profess their faith in Jesus and wait to be told what to do next. That's what happened in Samaria and the ones who told them what to do next were Peter and John. Philip had a passion for evangelism (spreading the Gospel) while the church recognized discipleship as necessary if those who are born again are to hit the ground running. Peter and John were therefore sent to continue the work started by Philip.

It's just like our generation to get things backward. We receive people on profession of faith in Jesus, but seldom follow through to help them get grounded in their faith. Instead, more times than not we practice discipleship first (teaching them what Christian's believe) in order that they know enough about God's word to do the right thing. It's no surprise then that we wind up with churches filled with people who act right at times, but have never been born again. It's like the blind leading the blind, so to speak.

It's no wonder the world is confused by the myriad of signals coming from the church. Some are obviously being blessed by God as they are faithful to continue the work that the Gospel started. But most have no such blessing and continue to do the same things over and over again expecting a different result.

Are you a Christian? If so, are you or have you been discipled in the faith? Is your faith one of making an educated choice or one where the anointing of the Holy Spirit set you apart from the lost? How can you know for certain?

Have you ever thought that the problems you face are a test designed by the Almighty to not only reveal to others the source of your faith, but to you. After all, if your hope of salvation is in the affirmation of men, you need something to make you look elsewhere before you die in that condition.

"The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart." Proverbs 17:3

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 1 Ki. 9:1-10:29 Ac. 8:14-40 Ps. 130:1-8 Pr. 17:2-3 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society