Freed from All Things by Our Belief in Jesus Christ
Scripture Passage: Acts 13:36-43 (NASB)
36 For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, and was buried among his fathers and underwent decay; 37 but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. 40 Therefore, see that the thing spoken of in the Prophets does not come upon you:
41 ‘Look, you scoffers, and be astonished, and perish;
For I am accomplishing a work in your days,
A work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.’”
42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people repeatedly begged to have these things spoken to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking to them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.
SUMMARY
Paul enlightened the Jews that the power of resurrected King Jesus is incomparably greater than that of King David. Through Christ Jesus everyone who believes is set free from sins, a justification that can not be obtained under the Law of Moses. Paul reminded the Jews to take heed so that what the prophet warned in Habakkuk would not happen to them. The congregation invited Paul and Barnabas to speak again on the next Sabbath. Paul and Barnabas urged them to continue in the grace of God.
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
Verses 38 and 39 are the central message Paul delivered to the Jews. When I meditated on the core of the gospel, I reflected that whether I ever delivered it clearly in my testimony, to my children, or to my family who yet to accept the gospel. I reviewed my written testimony in the past and found out that I spent the majority of the paragraph talking about myself. Talking about my background or my struggles. Sharing about how God saved me or changed me at the certain point of my life. Sadly I did not clearly point out the essential message of the gospel. THROUGH JESUS FORGIVENESS OF SINS IS PROCLAIMED TO US. I constantly fail to see things via the eternal perspective. It is because I focus on God saves me from the situation I am in. I shall be indebted and focus on that God saves me by forgiveness of my sins.
APPLICATION
I am thankful that today’s passage led me to reflect and modify my testimony. I repent to God for missing the core message and for my self-righteousness. When I sat down with my children earlier, I asked both of them why you love Jesus and what is the most important thing Jesus did for us. I am even more grateful to God to hear their answers. I thank God that our pastors and teachers in E-kinder really build children’s faith on the foundation of Jesus Christ. I recognize that I have a long way to go to proclaim gospel. Gladly God has not given up on me. He spoke to me through my quiet time and He will continue to guide me by His Word.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I pray that Your Word may teach me, rebuke me, correct me and train me in righteousness so that I may be thoroughly equipped for Your Kingdom’s work. I pray that you will prepare me to spread the good news. Help me to testify the truth. Make me a child of faith. I pray that God would open hearts of my family overseas and provide opportunities for me or other believers to minister to them. In Jesus name I pray.
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