Acts 4:11-16
While the man kept holding on to Peter and John, the whole crowd ran to them in amazement at the place known as Solomon's Porch. Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious? The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when he was being tried by Pilate, even though Pilate wanted to set him free. You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done. You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
More than once, I’ve heard someone say to another person… “I know you have a direct line to heaven, so please pray for me,” or something to that effect. And I admit, I have said that a few times to someone who I thought was a strong disciple of Christ. The trouble with this concept is that the “direct line” to God is not exclusive to a select few people. God does not give more attention to one person over another. We all have the same “line” to God… the difference is in how we utilize it.
Honestly, most people probably say this to another person as a way of paying them a compliment or acknowledging the blessings of his/her faithfulness. But we really need to be careful what we say… even with the best of intentions. What makes the prayers of certain people seem more effective is a result of their level of faith and trust in God. In truth, their prayers are not heard more often than ours… ahead of ours… or instead of ours! But their trust in God to answer may trump ours any day of the week.
People who go to church every Sunday, sing in the choir, serve in leadership roles in the church, or do mission work do not have their prayers answered - or live a problem-free life - because of their actions. Your heart… and your faith… are what matters. The most powerful, faithful, devoted servant of God may be a little old lady in the nursing home who trusts God to meet her needs and prays daily – and faithfully – for the needs of others. The soldier stationed in a foreign country who trusts God for safety and “daily bread” – in the trenches and for his/her family back at home – may receive more of God’s blessings than the deacon or church leader who is always in “high profile” for his/her latest projects, missions, or acts of service. Some of the people you consider to be “strong Christians” may actually have fairly weak faith behind their public persona.
What makes a Christian strong, confident, able and blessed is a matter of faith, not specific actions or mere talk. We can say all the right things… work in the church and serve in our community… be a “good person” and a friend to everyone we encounter… and still not operate in faith. Until we develop a deep, abiding faith in God… until we trust Him completely and operate from this foundation rather than the expectations and standards of the world… we will never truly experience all that God has for us.
Do not misunderstand me. Service is important… Jesus commanded us to love one another and to serve in His name. Corporate worship is important… we are called to fellowship with others – to come together to praise God and study His word. A positive attitude and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others is mandated by scripture. But all of these are fueled by a genuine faith in our Heavenly Father. Without a true faith in the promises of God, much of what we say and do is merely “lip service” to make us look good and feel better.
We cannot know for certain what is in another person’s heart… and we are not to judge anyway. We must cultivate our own relationship with God based entirely in faith that He will meet our every need, according to His will. We must trust Him to make us strong and well… and to always “take our calls.” People are watching… and they may see what appears to be a faith-filled Christian with a “direct line” to God. But God knows our hearts. He knows whether we are merely “religious” or truly operating in faith and trust. He hears our prayers… and more importantly, the intention behind them. What are your intentions… are you operating in faith, or merely “talking religion?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
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