06/09/2023
TOPIC: SALVATION FOR ALL
BIBLE MEDITATION
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household. Acts 16: 31 (NIV)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
It was on the evening of August 5, 1996, at 8 pm when together with a neighbor, we left our home's comfort into the pitch-black night's uncertainties. Before, the only time her parents and mine would agree that we leave home at night was for the watch-night service at year-end. This particular night, however, wasn't a watch night. It was the Church’s mid-year all-night service.
During the service, there was a stirring deep within and I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Later at home, my elder sister anxiously wanted to know why as she put it, 'I was becoming selfless by the day.' She followed me to Church and one after another, my entire family got saved and we began attending Sunday service together.
The question that was asked by the jailor at the Philippian prison, in verse thirty was 'what must I do to be saved? This question is asked by an unbeliever only when he has come to the conviction of his sinful nature. Even though the work of conviction is the exclusive prerogative of the Holy Spirit, He, of a necessity, requires stimuli—a person or an instance— to perform it. In this passage, the jailor observed how Paul and Silas continued to praise the LORD even in their affliction instead of complaining as many of us do today. The Jailor further observed how God miraculously came through for them by unlocking the prison gates without keys or help from the Jailor. The Holy Spirit used these instances to bring conviction to the Jailor's heart. Once convicted, what remained was for him to be led to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
ACTION PLAN
Can unbelievers observe your life and be convicted of their sins? What do you do when you face injustices from the world because you believe Christ is the son of God?
We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and to those who are called according to his purpose. We also know that there hath no temptation taken hold of you but such as is common to man. But God is faithful; and that He will not suffer you to be tempted beyond that which ye can bear, but with the temptation will also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
When problems come your way, remember, that like Paul and Silas, there is someone out there that God is using your life to bring conviction. That person may perhaps, be the one behind all your problems. It could be that family member who is daring you to let your God, if He is God, bring down fire from Heaven and save you. It could be that work colleague who is mocking you and asking to your face 'where is your God?
FURTHER STUDY
Acts 16:25-34, 1 Corinthians 16:10, Romans 5:2; 8:28, 1 Cor. 10:13
