Content and Package

Text

" 'Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace.... I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.' " —Acts 20:32-33

Bible Reading

ACTS 20:28-38

Devotional

Many pastors who leave a church have borrowed these words of the apostle Paul for a farewell speech or sermon: "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace." But there aren't many who have stressed the words that follow this text: "I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions."

It would be a shame for a regular congregation not to provide a living for its pastor. Paul himself was used by God to lay down some rules in that respect. The fact remains, however, that there is a close relationship between the message and the behavior of the person by whom it is presented. If we tell people that God cares for them while it is obvious that we couldn't care less, the message becomes unbelievable.

There are plenty of religious racketeers in North America. They must be exposed and rejected, for they dishonor the church of God. They don't care for the sheep; they want to fleece them.

You and I are the packages in which the grace of God is presented to people. We will always be inclined to say, "Please don't judge the content by the package." We don't call people to the church of Christ because we are so good but because Christ is so good.

Nevertheless, we must watch out that we don't resemble the Pharisees of whom Jesus said that you should listen to their words but not act according to their deeds. We have plenty of right to say that we carry the treasure of the kingdom in the earthly vessels of our present lives. But God's Spirit is powerful enough to show more of Christ through more of us.

The Spirit will give us so much grace that our total behavior supports the whole of the message.

REFLECTIONS

How do you react to being "the package in which the grace of God is presented to people"? Ask for a rich measure of God's grace so that more of Christ is seen through us, his people.

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Not much I can say that I haven't said recently. Let me know your feelings. Grace&Peace.