Getting Out of the Way
Today's Verse:
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? ~Acts 11:17
A major paradigm shift occurred in the first century: the gospel message had come to the Gentiles. A gathering of Gentiles at the home of Cornelius resulted in all of them accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. The church was no longer exclusive to just Jewish believers. Gentiles and Jews alike were joined together by their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This was an incredible breakthrough, and Peter gave a report to the church at Jerusalem about this breakthrough. He was the preacher who brought the gospel message to these Gentiles. He gave the invitation at the end of the message, all of them got saved, and he proceeded to baptize them. The last thing he said about this wonderful occurrence is, “What was I, that I could withstand God?” He was saying, “The last thing I want to do is get in God’s way in this matter.” We need to be careful that we are not in the way when God is at work.
Let’s be careful to not get in the way when the Spirit instructs.
When the preaching and teaching of God’s Word occurs, we must allow the Spirit to have freedom to work in our hearts. We must come with hearts that are hungry, teachable, and ready to receive the engrafted Word. He is our teacher Who guides us into an understanding of God’s Word. We must allow the Spirit the opportunity to enlighten and convict us. Like Samuel of old, we must be careful that we let none of His Words fall to the ground.
Let’s be careful to not get in the way when the Spirit invites.
When an invitation is made, we must be extra careful not to quench the Spirit’s working. The invitation is a precious time where all that needs to be said has been said, and the listeners have the opportunity to respond. There is something precious about an invitation time. There is a holy and quiet stirring that arises in hearts. Each person knows when the Spirit is tapping him on the shoulder and pulling at his heart to do something with what he has heard.
Let’s be careful to not get in the way when the Spirit inspires.
Many times, the Spirit gives us a jolt of enthusiasm for serving the Lord. We must be careful that we do not interfere with that enthusiasm in our lives or those around us. Let’s keep the soulwinning fervor that the Spirit gives alive. Let’s keep the enthusiasm for giving alive after it starts. Let’s keep the enthusiasm for serving as exciting as the first time we did something for the Lord. Let’s not get in the way with a critical and undermining spirit.
Let’s be careful to not get in the way when the Spirit inducts.
The Spirit calls men to service. I think of Acts 13:2 where it says, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” That was the Spirit inducting. Someone could have thrown cold water on that and told those men to wait or to stay longer at Antioch. I wonder how many people have not gone into the service of God because someone got in the way and discouraged them from obeying God.
What was I, that I could withstand God? Don’t get in God’s way when He is at work. Let’s move our preferences and pet peeves aside and give the Spirit the liberty He desires to work.
Have a Spirit-led God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 24-27