Acts 17:22-24 - Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "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.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man."
This devotion pairs with this weekend's Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lhm.org.
The fanaticism that Paul had before his conversion became a blessed and stable passion guided by the Holy Spirit. And in coming to places like Athens—not that other Greek or Roman cities were much different—with false gods in the form of idols all over the place, he didn't shy away, but used such opportunities to engage people and share of the crucified and resurrected Jesus, so that death could be converted to life. So that all might come to find the true meaning of their lives. Seeing the absolute spiritual mess around him with people blindly giving glory and praise to everything but the one true God, he's provoked to say something. But could it be any different with these pagans worshiping their idols? No, they had despised the truth just as the pagans in Rome of whom Paul would write so clearly to the believers there.
The Athenians were no different, doing what sinners do. In turning away from their Creator, they were worshiping created things rather than the Creator, who is near to all of us. But why didn't they know their Creator, and what did they need? They needed a disciple of Jesus to love them enough to tell them the truth about the One who had made them and loves them, and all of us, enough—though we're all daily running away from Him in sin—to come to us all the way to His death and back, so that every sinner may live and not die.
Hence, God's call to Paul. And yet Paul's life is actually no different than yours and mine. We, as Paul, are called to speak of what we have seen and heard via God's Word, so that those who have not seen and heard may come to life by the working of the Holy Spirit, through the Word that He leads and equips us to share. We share, using what we have at hand—the situation, the setting, the problem—and from there we convey the One who loves us all and forever.
WE PRAY: Lord God Almighty, please place upon each of our hearts this day, the name of someone whom we know, whether that person be unreceptive to hearing of Your love or receptive or by the Spirit's guidance even, seeking you out. Bless us to be used of You, to draw them closer to Your eternal love. And in such rejoice that you have called us to join You in Your ministry to this hurting, lost, and condemned world. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Pastor Keith Haberstock.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you find it difficult talking to people about spiritual matters? If so, check out LHM's many resources on this topic at www.lhm.org/conversations/
2. What are some of the worldly gods people worship today?
3. God can help us all become stronger witnesses for Him. Pray that the Holy Spirit will bless your life in this area.
Today's Bible Readings: Ecclesiastes 1-3 Acts 9:1-22
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