Acts; Where You Belong

Oct. 28

Read: Acts 26:17

Acts;

Where You Belong

“…I (Jesus) am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me (Jesus).” v. 17

We are in need of so much beyond the forgiveness of our sins. We don’t always realize this biblical truth, and often overlook it because we have become so fixated on sin in one form or another. When Jesus appears to Paul, we see this truth fleshed out in the work that Jesus is sending him to do. Jesus has come to solve ALL of our problems… and they are MANY! What does the progression look like as Jesus describes it to Paul? Let’s take a quick look:

1.) One’s eyes need to be opened; “I am sending you to open their eyes…”

Apart form Christ we walk in darkness. We are wandering around with our eyes closed. There is no real way for us to see clearly or correctly what is happening around us. The beginning of our journey is the “opening of our eyes” by Christ. How does Jesus do this? Well here, he sends someone - specifically he sends our Paul. God works through the preaching and ministry of his people to “open the eyes” of others. It is God who has the power to grant “eyes to see and ears to hear”. (cf. Is. 6:9,10, Luke 10:23,24, Matt. 9:30,13:14-16, etc.) Jesus amplifies this spiritual truth through his physical healings and granting of site to the blind throughout his ministry. We need our eyes to be opened, and Jesus does this work through the ministry and work of his people.

2.) One must be turned from “darkness to light”

When our eyes are opened, then we can SEE. It is only with “opened eyes” that we can “turn from darkness to light”. This is Jesus’ goal in opening our eyes… enabling us to “turn from darkness”. We are being calling into the light… to face the light and turn away from the darkness. In a way, this relates to the way that we fixate on sin; there is a certain way that fixating on sin keeps us looking at the darkness versus the turning towards the light. In other words - Christ is calling us to set our eyes on him… fix our gaze towards him and towards the light! This is what you have been given open eyes to gaze upon: the beauty, love, grace, mercy, and kindness of JESUS!

3.) One must turn and be set free from the power of Satan and entrusted to the power of God; “…so that they may turn…from the power of Satan to God.”

Apart from Christ, a person is looking to Satan and his power to accomplish work in this world. If it is not God and his power through Jesus… then there is only one other option given here. We don’t like to think of Satan having any power in this world… but the bible teaches otherwise. Granted, SATAN ONLY HAS THE POWER THAT GOD MOST HIGH HAS GIVEN HIM, nevertheless… the scriptures teach us that we are to turn from his power and influence over to God’s. The power and influence of Satan is as much something we must be saved by Jesus from as is our sins… the bible says was much.

What does it look like when our eyes are opened by Christ and we turn from darkness and the power of Satan?

4.) Jesus gifts us forgiveness of sins along with this “opening of eyes” and “turning”

Jesus not only forgives us of our sins, but opens our blind eyes, leads us out of darkness into light, and frees us from the power and tyranny of Satan! All of these things are connected to one another… and they ALL come from Jesus. This is the work that Jesus does in and through his people… the power of the Kingdom of God declared by God’s people.

But it doesn’t end there with “forgiveness of sins”, there is one more facet:

5.) We receive through Christ a “place among those who are sanctified”

Jesus doesn’t open our eyes, call us into light, free us from Satan’s power, and then just leave us standing there. He doesn’t just “pay our sin bill” and then walk away leaving us displaced from our previous state… but now aimless. It goes beyond this - Jesus gives us a “place” amongst a group of people. These people are known as “set apart” ones or “sanctified” ones… people who are set apart for God’s service… those who have been brought into God’s family! Jesus doesn’t just forgive our sins then tell us to “go and have a nice day”… what he does is call us to take a place prepared for us amongst a people… HIS people. Jesus gives us a place… a purpose… meaning… and a family… a place amongst the “sat-apart ones of God”. He doesn’t leave us forgiven but alone… Jesus says to us: “I have opened your eyes, called you out of darkness into light, freed you from the power of Satan, and forgiven your sins so that you can come and join me and the other people of God… you have a place among us… this is where you BELONG now!”

Jesus is so much greater than we realize. We often overlook and diminish other aspects of his ministry… but the BIG PICTURE is so exciting. Praise God that our eyes have been opened…Lord, call our attention to opportunities to see you at work today! Praise God we no longer grope around in darkness… Lord, may we run deeper into your light and goodness today… it is time to stop staring at the darkness! Praise God that we being to him and it is HIS power that we turn to…not Satans; Lord, may we boldly find our comfort in YOUR power… and may we experience your power TODAY as you work in us and through us! Praise God that our sins have been forgiven; Lord, may we no longer dwell on what you have already forgiven and taken away… our sin is no longer our focus in your son Jesus! Praise God that we now have a place among God’s uniquely set-apart people… we are indeed sanctified ones! Jesus, help us to believe you when you tell us we belong! What “good news” ! Love you guys. - JDP