And there they preached the Gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed. Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done, sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch
In some bizarre way, I think I now understand why the Ancient Greeks and Romans believed in the mythical gods for so long. They must have seen the disciples doing miracles and thought they were gods. They got so caught up in these mythological gods that they never paid attention to what the disciples were telling them about Jesus and Salvation.
It’s funny how over time man has created elaborate explanations for the things that God has done rather than acknowledge God. There is a religious group that professes to be Christian but can’t acknowledge God. They have to have some logical explanation for miracles and other things rather than just believing in Him. Some groups feel that utilizing the “god power within them,” brings about the desired things in their life. Others use the “power of positive thinking” and some “visualize” themselves getting the job they desire. They don’t truly realize that they aren’t giving God the credit when they think that they got the job through the “god power within them.”
When I go for a job interview, I ask God to take care of the things I say and whether I get the job or not, whichever way is His will. I feel positive that God knows what is best for me and my family, so I am happy whether I get the job or not. That doesn’t mean I might not be somewhat disappointed if I didn’t get the job, but I only want the job that God thinks is best for my particular situation.
Although God says in the Bible that He dwells within each of us; I don’t think it’s this same “god power” that I hear this group speaking of. Everything I have read in the Bible, and I have read it from cover to cover 16 plus times, tells us that God wants us to turn to Him in everything, not to the “god power that lies within us” or “to visualize things the way we want them to be.”
I really have a personal concern, because I worry that some well-meaning people may be led astray. They may believe what seems convenient or more understandable to them rather than believe in God like the people in this passage who couldn’t believe that the disciples were doing these miracles on God’s behalf. That defied all logical explanation, so they chose to believe that the disciples were gods instead.
Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.
This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please
share your connections.
