Isn’t it amazing how God takes such good care of us even though there is still a tendency for us to sometimes stress out about things that are beyond our control? As a young Christian I got caught up in that mode because I was so worried, almost distraught, about people of other faiths or those who lived in remote regions who never had the opportunity to hear about Christ (or so I thought). And though the sentiment was noble, I became over-involved in what I perceived as people possibly being deprived of the salvation I enjoyed. I had to come to realize that I had nothing to do with it and all of my hand-wringing amounted to nothing. I was not taking into account that every knee would bow and every tongue would confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and the process didn't need me. And though the Lord may use me as a vessel to help if He so desires, every individual person is required to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2: 12) Only God will decide what He will do with anyone or anything He has created. “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9: 15-16) I had to understand that my mission was to do what God was telling me to do and to mind my own business when it came to anything else.
When you meddle in affairs that don’t involve you, it puts you at great risk. “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.” (Proverbs 26: 17) God knew I was trying to take on too much so He saved me from myself. To comfort me, put me in my place and relieve me of this burden I created, the Lord blessed me with two glorious scriptures that literally soothed my soul. The first from Psalms, “LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.” (Psalm 131: 1) And though I still did not understand the mechanics of His mercy, it didn’t matter because I was no longer bothered by it. I trusted the Lord and knew it wasn’t my problem and that He would take care of it in His own way and in His own time. By the grace of God and the second scripture He revealed to me, I realized that “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29: 29)
It’s a wonderful thing when the Lord sets you straight. I joyfully accepted this encouragement and later it was revealed to me why I did not have to be concerned about others being given the opportunity to know Christ. The reason is because everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live, would have a chance to know His Son. He would see to it. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24: 14) “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd.” (John 10: 16)
We don’t have to worry about imposing our faith on others. We just have to be ready to share when we have the opportunity. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3: 15) And though we will certainly know everyone by their fruit, we have to be careful about judging people based on what we think. “ …but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” (Acts 10: 28) We may not know what God is in the process of doing with that person, just like many had no idea what God was doing with us as He was drawing each of us personally to Him by Christ. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” (Acts 10: 34-35)
My over-the-top concern for people in general and those of other nations in particular was unnecessary because all souls belong to God. No matter where they are in this world the good news of Jesus will be spread throughout the earth in one way or another and it can’t be stopped. In the Book of Acts there are 3 stories of people from various nations that believed in God but had not yet heard of or accepted Christ. They were Cornelius (a Roman Centurion), Candace’s Treasurer (an Ethiopian Eunuch) and Lydia (a Thyatiran Fabric Merchant.) Here are the beautiful stories of their journey leading to Jesus.
Cornelius (Roman Centurion)
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” (Acts 10: 1-2)
Candace’s Treasurer (Ethiopian Eunuch)
“ …behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.” (Acts 8: 27-28)
Lydia (Thyatiran Fabric Mecrhant)
“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us.” (Acts 16: 14)
What these people of differing nations had in common was a belief in God and a desire to do right. Belief in God is great and doing right is wonderful, however more was needed. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2: 19) Their faith in God was only the start. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11: 6) God is the beginning but He is also the ending. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” (Revelation 22: 13)
Our 3 believers did good and tried hard but needed life pumped into their faith. They needed something else to help them end up where their faith intended them to be. They needed to adjust the focus of their faith and begin “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12: 2) Jesus would be the reward God promised as a result of their faith, even if they were presently oblivious to the truth their road was leading them to. And this same Jesus, whom each of their souls loved whether they were aware of it or not, would lead them to joyful, sanctified rest. “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” (Isaiah 35: 8)
Once again, they needed more than good works to be saved. Salvation is a gift of grace from God and no matter how good you think you are, your good works alone will never be enough for you to earn it. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8 & 9) Does this mean good works are not necessary? OF COURSE NOT! True good works are not a result of wanting to be saved, they are the result of actually being saved. There’s a difference and that difference is Jesus. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2: 10) If the faith that gives us access to grace is not utilized properly then we are just good people ….. good and spiritually dead people. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2: 17 & 20)
And so, to make our faith in God count, we have to be restored to intimate fellowship with Him. In order to accomplish this, our Heavenly Father sent His Son to suffer and die in our place for the sins we committed. This voluntary sacrifice made the offer of salvation possible. And this offer is to everyone from every nation who believes in God, is sincerely sorry for the wrong they’ve done, truly wants to do right and accepts this sacrifice of Christ as full payment to cleanse us and atone for our sins. “Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.” (Acts 13: 26)
And what was the word of this salvation that was sent? Jesus, the Living Word! And a true encounter with the Savior means change. Change from dark to light. Change from death to life. Change from old to new. Change from law to grace and truth. Change from destination hell to heaven bound. “Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3: 12-18)
So back to our 3 believers in God from other nations whose faith was as planted seeds waiting for a shower of life-giving water. Their faith would result in God taking action to bring about a divine meeting with the Prince of Peace. “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations…” (Jeremiah 29: 21-14)
For each one, God arranged and orchestrated the circumstances that would culminate in the great introduction that would change their lives forever:
The Roman
“He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.” (Acts 9: 3 & 5-6)
The Ethiopian
“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.” (Acts 8: 30-31)
The Thyatiran
“And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.” (Acts 16: 13)
Sometimes the process is slow, sometimes it’s fast. But either way, because of their faith, these 3 were eligible to take the next step on the road to redemption and were granted permission to come into the King’s presence to be changed. Once our humble petition for the offer of salvation is granted, the change occurs. So sit back and enjoy the wonderful change that came over these believers in God who became servants of Christ!
The Roman
“…that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 10: 43-45 & 48)
The Ethiopian
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8: 35-39)
The Thyatiran
“…whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.” (Acts 16: 14-15)
Upon the conversion of these dear souls, the dry well of the law was transformed into a glorious and escalating fountain of life. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4: 14) Their faith in God, which was the substance of their hope and the evidence of what they didn’t see, came to fruition through Jesus. They finally received what the law could never deliver. “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13: 38-39)
Now some may think that they can just be a good and decent person and still be saved. The truth is that without Jesus salvation is impossible. You may be a good and decent person, but again, your good and decent works won’t save you. You may feel good about yourself and try to follow all the rules, but at the end of the day you will go away sad like the rich young ruler in Mark 10: 17-22: “And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”
God’s great love for you has prompted Him to sacrifice His Son so you could be cleansed of your sin through the righteous blood of Jesus. Then, and only then will the good things you do become eternally meaningful. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6: 22-23)
So keep believing in God but make your faith count. Reap the reward your faith was designed to lead you to. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2: 16 & 20)
Don't stop short and miss out on awaiting heavenly endowments the Lord has in store for you. Keep living the holy and consecrated life that leads to continued spiritual blessings from our Creator. Enjoy the abundant life that will culminate in an everlasting life which only comes from an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God!