Out In the Open

It is human nature to cover up, hide, or refuse to acknowledge when we have messed up or even sinned. It seems that we think that if we ignore a problem, it will go away. The truth is, this has never worked and never will. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve sin by eating of the one tree God asked them to leave alone (v. 6). At the moment they eat of the tree, “their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness” (v. 7). The next phrase is an interesting one, “so they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves” (v. 7). In typical human fashion, they tried to cover up what they had done.

Just a few verses later we discover how ineffective their efforts at covering their wrong actually were. We are told that God was walking in the garden in the cool of the evening. Adam and Eve heard God and they, “hid from God among the trees” (v. 8). When God asks why they hid, Adam replies, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked” (v. 10). What an interesting confession. They were afraid because they were naked, yet we were just told they had sown leaves together to cover themselves.

The truth is, we can never effectively cover our sin or its consequences. Our best bet is to confess what we have done wrong, come to God, and allow Him to work on our behalf. Once Adam and Eve’s sin is exposed before the Lord, they were able to accept the consequences of their sin and “God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife” (v. 21). God was able to effectively cover what Adam and Eve had done. On their own, they would have stood exposed for all eternity.

It is easy for us to read the story of Adam and Eve and mock them for their foolishness. However, how often are we guilty of the same. We sin, we deny it, and then we try to cover it. This will be no more effective than it was for Adam and Eve. If you a dealing with something in your life, may I encourage you to come out in the open and let God cover you. The truth is, He and He alone can do this effectively.

Taking a Stand in a Christ-less Culture

The Apostle Paul’s passion for the gospel never ceases to amaze me. As I have written before, when Paul met Christ, he went from chief persecutor of the church to chief propagator of the church. Paul never missed the opportunity to proclaim the gospel. It is as if it burned within him and no matter the circumstance he had to share it. Sometimes this is in the form of a simple testimony and sometimes he argues his case as if he is standing before the Supreme Court.

A story is recorded in Acts 17 of one such instance when Paul makes a case for Christ. Paul is in the city of Athens. He is waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive to assist him in the ministry. However, while Paul is waiting on them he begins to take note of all the idols that are within the city. At the same time we are told that, “his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). As a result, he begins to make his case for Christ and the gospel.

As Paul is making his case, he approaches it in an interesting way. He starts with what they know; he finds common ground with them. He says, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘to the unknown god’” (Acts 17:22-23). Paul found an open door and walks through it. He then says, “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:23). Paul then goes on to make a very detailed argument as to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

As we think about sharing the gospel, there are several things we can learn from Paul. First of all, this event takes place in the normal flow of Paul’s life. He is simply waiting on some friends to arrive and killing time. Second, Paul finds common ground with the Athenians. He does not start a huge argument as to the sinfulness of worshiping idols; he simply uses these idols as a connecting point to share the one true God with them. Third, Paul is not shy about sharing the truth even though idol worship was clearly the accepted practice of the day in Athens. Every believer would do well to model their life and witness after Paul.

When Difficulties Direct

Throughout the book of Acts we have seen the progression of the gospel. We are reminded once again of Jesus’ Great Commission. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We have seen the gospel proclaimed in Jerusalem, in Judea, and Samaria. Now we come to Acts 13 and we see the gospel launched “to the ends of the earth.”

Paul and Barnabas have been preaching the gospel. The Jewish people that they were speaking to were responding with great interest. Unfortunately, this upset the leaders of the people. The Bible says, “But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him” (Acts 13:45). Paul and Barnabas could have allowed this to discourage them. They could have looked at the situation and quit. Instead, they simply say, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). The Gentile response is also worth noting. We are told, “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).

This story has two things for us that are worthy of note. First, we are reminded once again that God has a heart for the nations. God’s desire is that all people will come to a saving knowledge of Him. As believers, we are to take part in this gospel advance. Second, it was after a difficult situation occurred that the gospel was preached to the Gentiles. We must be careful not to view every challenge as a negative. Sometimes God uses these difficulties to direct our path and accomplish His will. Walk in faith and expectation…even in the difficult times.