THE WAY
Twelfth of Kingdom Kids devotion series explaining Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.
Acts 19:9-10: “But some of them [those who Paul argued with in the synagogue about the Kingdom of God] became obstinate; they refused to believe and publically maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
“This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”
Early disciples were well known as people of “the Way.” The difference was obvious. Believers-in-Christ chose to walk a different path from all others. They chose to identify themselves totally with Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. They had a single purpose. Their purpose was to live for God’s kingdom.
“Obstinate” [OB-stin-it] means stubborn. Used in the opening Scripture, obstinate means that people argued against believing in God’s kingdom and spoke badly about it. They never changed their minds. Check out the lesson linked below for Jesus appearing in Acts.
We still see two opposing attitudes that contrast how people deal with God’s kingdom. Let us who are serious about following Jesus—serious enough to become disciples are kingdom kids. Like the earliest Christians who were identified as following “the Way”, may modern Christians also be identified as different from all others.
Sadly, many of today’s Christians lost our true identity. Who are genuine Believers? Is faith simply another bullet listed after one’s name, title, position, possessions, and friends?
How do you answer someone who asks, “Who are you?” If God or Christ isn’t your top identifier, you’re confused. What’s your bottom line? As a member of God’s family, our identifier should be Christ. There should be no way that we can discuss who we are without being clear about whose we are.
“Christian” isn’t a title, like Mr., Ms., or Doctor. Christian is an identifier that labels to whom we belong. It shall never be that we talk about ourselves without including what Jesus did for us and what He means to us. Being a disciple of Christ is the very essence of who we are!
Take Home Nugget
Understanding and agreeing with this devotion creates a “kingdom” mentality. Frequently, we need to be reminded of our kingdom outlook on life. No worries. Spiritual growth is a lifelong process.
Salvation is purposefully worked out with “fear and trembling”. Sanctification, or cooperating with God’s indwelling Spirit becoming more like Jesus, transforms us day-to-day. A kingdom mindset is also part of our character that develops over time.
Holy Father, May others never be confused that I follow Your Son. Thank You for strengthening my walk and Spiritual development. Amen.
Adapted from a devotion by Dr. Tony Evans. February 15, 2018. Check out Alternative at www.LightSource.com
J.D. Griffith
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