My 11-month old son, Thomas, is becoming more and more mobile every day. He can crawl across our living room faster than I can get up from the floor and climbing the stairs is his favorite game. When Thomas sees something or someone he wants, he will not stop until he reaches his goal, even if that means facing obstacles along the way!
The book of Acts depicts the apostles in a similar way; tunnel vision toward accomplishing their goal of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ without concern for what might stand in their way. These men were tasked with spreading the good news about Jesus to everyone and they didn’t let anyone stop them. The apostles spoke boldly despite being persecuted for their words and actions.
“But Peter and John replied,
“Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?
We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.””
Acts of the Apostles 4:19-20 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/act.4.19-20.NLT
When I read scriptures like this, I’m convicted by these believers’ enthusiasm for sharing the gospel. Occasionally, after a well-preached sermon or Sunday school lesson, I feel a renewed sense of excitement for sharing Christ’s love and forgiveness with those around me, but far too often I slip back into my daily routines and neglect this direct instruction: tell people about Jesus everywhere.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””
Acts of the Apostles 1:8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/act.1.8.NLT
As a parent, reaching the ends of the earth now starts in my home. I want to make sure that my son knows the good news about Jesus. I want him to witness the Holy Spirit working in and through me to reach everyone around me each and every day. As much as I want Thomas to be successful and enjoy his life, knowing that he will spend his eternity with Jesus is far more important!
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ”
Philippians 3:8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/php.3.8.NLT
Now, more than ever, I want to live boldly and with the same zeal that the apostles had for sharing the gospel. Most days that’s easier said than done, but Jesus didn’t give me this goal to accomplish on my own. As followers of Christ, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit inside us and fellow believers around us to help share the gospel. I just have to be bold enough to take advantage of every opportunity, regardless of the obstacles along the way.
I recently heard the song Live With Abandon by Newsboys on the radio and that song perfectly conveys the lives of the apostles and the goal for my life too!
Give You all that I am
Every part of my heart, Jesus
I place in Your hands
I wanna live with abandon
I’ll drop everything to follow You
It’s only Your hands I hold onto
Newsboys – Live With Abandon3:36 · YouTube
Thank you God for the good news about Jesus. Fill me with your Holy Spirit today and every day so that I can share Your word with boldness to everyone, everywhere.
Amen!
~By Caroline Bulman, Guest Blogger, SuperMom, Daughter, My Friend~
A Fitting Reply 