February 21, 2023 -- Acts 17:16 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Provoked by the Spirit

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
Acts 17:16 ESV

It would be easy to pass by this sentence and go on to the passage where Paul is powerfully, eloquently, arguing for the Christian faith. His address to the people of  Athens is much studied. The speech is stirring and powerful. But do not miss today's words. Paul, who was pursued by Jesus, held by the Spirit for the good works which God had prepared in advance for him to do, was provoked. That word provoked is an interesting one. It means to be excited, irritated, moved to action. What stirred up these emotions? The city of Athens was full of idols and Paul, set free from the power of all that is false, was moved by the slavery of the people who thought themselves free and wise.

Fellow believer, what a contrast to our usual way of behaving. In movies we can be brought to the point of cheering for the criminal. In books we read, the author can deftly sketch the character so well that the reader looks past all the wrongs and cheers for the man who remains unregenerate, that is, unchanged. It is the familiar song, the anthem and theme in the life of many people “I did it my way”. The people of the world around us are chained in deep sin and gloomy darkness even while they blindly celebrate their supposed freedom and enlightened way of living.

Paul was stirred up because he had been captivated by Jesus Christ. Once his soul was released from bondage to sin and the things he used to worship in his own life were exposed as false and worthless he could by the Spirit's discernment easily spot the chains that bind others. When a man or a woman has been freed from sin and brought into the grace of Jesus Christ, all other lesser things and objects that used to be worshiped are thrown into murky shadows because of the brilliance of Christ. Paul was compelled to speak because he knew the terrible stranglehold old sins have on those who chase after anything other than the One True, Living God, our Father. It is what moves you, believer, to speak to the people around you. It is for freedom that Jesus has set you free, so that by the power of His Spirit you will tell others this good news.

Father in heaven, great and beautiful is Your Name! May those chained in the darkness of false worship and worldly idolatry move us, provoke us, so that stirred by Your Spirit we will boldly declare the true freedom that can only be found in Jesus Christ! Thank You for the beauty and power of Scripture, which shines with brilliance in every age and goes with undiminished power to every generation. Captured as we are by Your love, help us to show, teach, and model for all those around us, the joy of living a life devoted to Jesus Christ which is fueled by the Spirit Who makes the Bible living and exciting for us, so that our lives are lived for the honour and glory of our Father in heaven. Help us, Triune God of Majesty, to make disciples for Jesus Christ who make disciples for Jesus Christ. Amen.

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