Acts

I always get a little excited when we start a new book.  The past 5 months we've stuck with this reading challenge daily...and surprisingly I've only had a couple times where I had to play catch-up.  I'm encouraged to know that you're still going through this with me!

Acts was written by Luke as a sequel to the Gospel.  My Bible describes it as not just an historical record of the early church, but a theological reference to living examples of the work of the Holy Spirit, church relationships and organization, the implications of grace, and the law of love.

This first chapter, in verses 4-5, mentions the Trinity.  I wanted to write what my study notes say about this, because I know sometimes it's hard to grasp the idea of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and what exactly the difference is.  So here it goes...I did paraphrase a little because it was a little long:

If Jesus had stayed on earth, his physical presence would have limited the spread of the gospel, because physically he could have only been in one place at one time.  After he was taken up into heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent to be present everywhere with followers of Christ.  We receive the Holy Spirit (are baptized with him) when we receive Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:9)  The Spirit is the power of our new lives. (Gal 3:3, Phil 1:6).  He begins a life-long process of change making us more like Christ.  When we receive Christ by faith, we begin an immediate personal relationship with God.  The Spirit unites the Christian community in Christ...can be experienced by all, and he works through all. (1 Corinth 12:11, Eph 4:4).

Doubt

When I was deciding what to write about today, the first idea was to look into the character of Thomas.  He was remembered for being the one who doubted Jesus' resurrection until he saw the nail holes in His hands and touched His side which was pierced with the sword.  I thought it was interesting how my Bible described this doubt as a good thing...because Thomas' doubts had a purpose.  He wanted to know the truth.  His faith was always strong, and he was consistent in that he didn't settle in his doubts.  Thomas was ready for action when he got the answers he was looking for - he moved on from them to decision and belief.

However, as I was starting to write and went back to read a little more, I realized something that a little unsettling for me.  In verses 21-22, Jesus said "...As the Father sent me, I am sending you...Receive the Holy Spirit".  Okay...I know this isn't making sense yet...so let me back up.

This morning I woke up, the kids were fighting about things we've been talking and talking and talking about for weeks now.  Will is struggling - his behavior at school is getting him in trouble (playing too rough at recess, lying to his teacher, calling kids names, talking out of turn in class, lack of respect for his teacher, not doing his work).  We have tried explaining to him that we know he's a good kid, that he has the ability to be loving, kind and respectful at school...but his choices are making people think he's a trouble-maker and someone they won't want to be friends with if he keeps it up.  We've tried rewards, lectures, punishments...but we know the choice has to be his.  So anyways, first thing this morning, Will gets into trouble and I sent him to his room.  While he's in there, I'm laying in bed praying for wisdom, because I just don't know what I should do with him.  I don't know what else I can say, do, or try that will help him change.  Then (oddly enough) I remember the other day Will asked me why I read my Bible every day.  It was an awesome question, so I told him that I read it because God wants to talk to me, and lots of times I find that what I'm reading has to do with the things going on in my life that day. 

SO, I opened up my Bible and looked up "Children" in the concordance.  I found Proverbs 20:11 ("Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.")  and Eph 6:1-3 ("Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.")  So I called Will into the room, and we talked about these two verses in detail...and read through the explanations in my study notes.  After that we prayed together about his actions, his choices, and the promise that God makes when he makes the choice to change his behavior.  I was feeling pretty good after this, like I was finally onto something.

So now this brings me back to verses 21-22.  In verse 21 Jesus sent out the disciples to do a job.  In verse 22, Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit's power to do their job.  When I became a Mother I was given a job to do as well.  But a lot of the time I am like Thomas (see, I told you I'd bring it around).  I doubt God's ability to help my son...and His ability to help me.  Even after what happened this morning, I still need to think about my doubts, and fully trust in God for what He can and will do for my son.  I have been struggling just as much as Will lately, because I've been trying to do my job with my own strength and power.  Through our reading today I am reminded that my authority as a Mother comes from God...and that through Jesus I can find the wisdom I need to accomplish my job.  I also am reminded that I constantly need to rely on the strength that God provides through the Holy Spirit, and to not rely on my own strength.

Righteousness

So what exactly is "righteousness"?  The word is defined as acting in a morally correct manner; correct by divine declaration. 

Our reading today had the following verses about righteousness (there were more, this is just a sample):

"The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them

but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness."

"The truly righteous man attains life

but he who pursues evil goes to his death."

"Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,

but those who are righteous will go free."

When you only look at the first part of the definition...one could attempt to become righteous through their own efforts.  If you've tried that (like I have in the past), then you probably have figured out the futility involved.  And when you read in Romans 3:10 "There is no one righteous, not even one..." we have even more proof that, left to our own devices, we just can't be good enough for God.  We can't earn the ability to be called righteous on our own.  Lots of people like to act as if they are righteous, but it's only skin deep.

So, if we can't do it on our own...how do we obtain the righteousness that Proverbs 11 speaks about?  That's where the second part of the definition comes into play - to become "correct by divine declaration".  For that we can look to 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  God wants to forgive us...confessing our sin allows us to stay connected to Him, and this verse tells us that when we do, he will purify us from all unrighteousness.  And when that happens, we become "correct by divine declaration".