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Acts 5:12-13 (NJKV)
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
From Acts 5:12, we see that the church was moving forward in the power of God. Given this, it would be reasonable to think that everyone was getting on board with that move. But no. Because Acts 5:13 (NIV) tells us in part: Yet none of the rest dared join them. This begs the question: why did “the rest” not join them?
There could be a number of reasons why. Reflecting on my own relationship with God, I think that perhaps “the rest” may not have been serious, or as serious as the apostles, about the church moving forward in the power of God.
When something is serious to us, we treat it with importance. We are dedicated to it. We think carefully about it. We put time and effort into it.
Let us ponder the following: are we serious about our relationship with God? Are we serious about the impact our lives have on those around us?
On our own, we really do not have what it takes to consistently be serious about our relationship with God. On our own, we do not have what it takes for our lives to impact others so much so that God is glorified. For that, we must look to God’s Word. We must be led by the Holy Spirit. We must follow the example Jesus set for us.
Without a doubt, Jesus was serious in every way. Here are just two ways.
First, Jesus was serious about spending time with God in prayer.
Mark 1:35 (NIV) states: Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
And second, Jesus was serious about doing God’s Will.
John 6:38 (NIV) states: For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
Life is all about making decisions. And right now just may be one of those times to make a decision. Despite where we are, or think we are, in our relationship with God, we may need to decide to be serious – or more serious – about our lives as believers. Let us commit to no longer treat our relationship with God as if it were not important.
Let us follow Jesus’s example. Let us be dedicated to praying and spending quality time with God. Let us put aside our will, our plans, our agendas, to do what God wants. Let us be serious about living lives that bring glory to God.
Matthew 5:16 (AMPC) states: Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.
Except where indicated, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domain.
