“And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” Acts 19:10
The disciples reasoned in the synagogue so that all “heard the word of the Lord Jesus” but some heard it, others were transformed by it.
Discipleship is a journey. It is more than hearing the Word of God. It is living out the Word of God. There are things we believe in but a good question to ask ourselves, “Does that belief transform me, transform the way I live?”
Recognize what’s going on in the first few verses. There were disciples who lacked a deeper revelation of Christ. Notice their lack of revelation didn’t change their identity as disciples. However, their heart to follow Jesus did open them up to deeper revelation.
Also, look at what happened to others who responded to the Spirit of God, “And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.” Acts 19:18-19
Those who were touched by the Spirit of God confessed and turned away from their old lifestyle. They wanted nothing to do with it. In this case it was those who practiced magic but there are many things we need to turn away from and turn to Christ.
Spurgeon once said, “You will have enough temptation in your own mind without going after these things. Is there any habit, any practice, that you have got that defiles your soul? If Christ loves you, and you come and trust in him, you will make short work of it. Have done with it, and have done with it forever.” If you have identified with Christ, you are His disciple indeed, don’t think anything less.
If you say you follow Christ turn away from anything that defiles your soul. There is nothing sweeter than following the Risen Savior. “Taste and see the Lord is good.”
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.