Jump Start # 681

Acts 9:26 “When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

This week we have been looking at the early pages of Acts and especially following Saul has he is introduced to us. Acts 9 shows the change in Saul. He had a vision. He met a preacher. He was taught. He learned. He believed. He was baptized. He came a Christian. Immediately the Jews were after him. He was a traitor in their eyes.

Saul comes to Jerusalem. He last was there when Stephen was murdered and he received letters from the high priest to chase down other Christians. Now he is back. He’s different. He’s not a radical Jew, but a believer in Christ. One of the things that Christians do is associate with one another. They worship together. They sing together. They pray together. The encourage one another. This is called fellowship. Fellowship isn’t about food and games, it is about a spiritual exchange with others. Saul needed that. We all do. Alone, Satan gets us. Alone, we become discouraged and over whelmed. Alone we don’t have much chance. Together, we are God’s army. Together, we are God’s family. Together, we are God’s nation.

The Christians in Jerusalem didn’t want Saul. He left as a persecutor. They are not sure about him. They were scared. Some of their family members had been arrested because of him. Stephen was killed and he was right there. Now he wants to come in and be with the church. It’s understandable where they were coming from.

Barnabas comes to the rescue. He speaks for Saul. He gives Saul a thumb’s up. Barnabas is the assurance that they need. We all need a Barnabas in our life. That powerful support, dependable friend, that  one who will stand with us and defend us. That’s Barnabas.

This verse brings a wonderful idea for us to consider. The church in Jerusalem didn’t believe that Saul was one of them. It took a Barnabas to convince them. Could we convince others that we are a Christian? Would people that know us be shocked to hear that. Do we show others that we are a Christian by the way we talk, by our attitudes and by the choices that we make. This is nothing more than letting your light shine. It shouldn’t be a surprise to co-workers, family members, neighbors that you are a Christian. Your habits, your lifestyle, your example ought to show that.

Some like to ride the fence between the world and the church. They want both. They fail miserably at both. They are too good to be completely in the world and they are too bad to be completely in Christ. On the fence they sit. They can fool many people. The guys at work wouldn’t dream that he is a Christian. He never talks about it, he never has a Bible, he is never seen praying. He laughs at things Christians shouldn’t, his language can be raw and rude, like the rest of the people at work. His influence for God doesn’t exist. He never invites co-workers to church services. He’s embarrassed to talk about those kind of things. Yet when he sits in church services, he’s never learned what others know. He is clueless and often confused. He has little knowledge and little interests. He comes because his family does. Outside of the church building he is all world and little Christ. Such a person cannot convince others that he is a Christian and the reason is because he hasn’t fully convinced himself. His lack of commitment and superficial faith will catch up with him some day when he needs it the most and he will be disappointed.

Saul was a Christian. How about you? Can you convince someone you are by the way that you live? The light shines the brightest when it is in dark places. Light stands out. It attracts. It is visible. It is different than darkness. It illuminates and allows others to see. Jesus said, ‘You are the light of the world…” That’s an absolute. We are. So it does us well to start being what we are.

Convincing others that you are a Christian is nothing more than simply living and doing what we are supposed to do.

Roger