FRIDAY April 28, 2023
A Genuine Christian
And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Acts 9:26-27
Saul experienced fierce opposition from outside the Church and also resistance from within. He tried to join the disciples, but they mistrusted him. They saw him as a traitor––a spy.
Barnabas, whose name means “son of consolation,” reassured them, as if to say, “Saul is a real child of God; you can safely receive him. God saved Him!” It was not until Barnabas shared Saul’s incredible testimony and how he had preached boldly in Jesus’ name that they accepted him.
I find that reaction is true of most of us. When we see someone come to the Lord, we wait and watch them to see if they grow in Christ. Many people accept Jesus, but after a few weeks or months, some fall away and stop attending church.
When the Lord really touches a person’s life, they develop an insatiable hunger and thirst to know Him. A genuine Christian will desire to do something for God. As they begin to study and pray, God will teach them, lead them, and strengthen them. He anoints and places a call on their life. They become useful in the body of Christ and outside of the church, they become a powerful witness––telling other people about Jesus Christ.
Examine your Christian life. Do you still have a hunger and thirst to know God? Are you in the Word, in prayer, and in fellowship? Have you lost your passion to share the Gospel with the lost? What will you do to get back on track, if you find yourself lacking in any of these areas?
We know but little of true Christianity, if we don't feel a deep concern about the souls of unconverted people.
~J. C. Ryle~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
