Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
Acts 8:9-13
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation about faith with someone who believes something totallyldifferent than you? Perhaps you have casually stumbled upon faith as a topic of discussion (with someone you don't know particularly well) and someone shares how deeply they feel about being an atheist or muslim, or a buddhist, or a catholic. What do you do? Run? Avoid the discussion?Agree to disagree? Try to convince them they are wrong?
No doubt these kinds of conversations are a major reason for the age-old wisdom about not discussing faith or politics in mixed company. (by the way I have a surplus of lipstick if anyone is interested) Certainly keeping silent about these matters is often a prudent course of action if relational harmony is a primary goal. But what if we want to move past superficial discussions about the weather, sports, or our children's school activities? What if we want to truly engage in deep, meaningful, and personally relevant discussion on matters of faith, politics, love, and life? Is it possible to have a meaningful discussion about these issues with people we disagree with or must it be avoided for fear of jeopardizing a relationship? Is it possible to be an authentic witness for Christ, without resorting to relational violence?
I believe the story of Philip in Acts gives us great insight into these important questions. Philip is a disciple in the early church who is traveling throughout the region sharing the good news of Jesus. When Philip arrives in a Samarian town he realizes that a man named Simon, who practices magic, has dazzled the people with his powers. The people were convinced that Simon was a man from God and they had "followed him for a long time." Philip comes to town to share a different message, the gospel of Christ. Philip was able to share who Jesus was, what he did for us, and how it personally made a difference to him. Philip's simple, humble, and personal witness changed the hearts and minds of the people and Simon! Simon actually became a devoted follower of Jesus and stayed "with Philip constantly."
The story of Philip giving witness to a Samarian town and to Simon is a powerful example of how the gospel has the power to transform lives and overcome differences. Like Philip, we are called to share who Jesus is and what he has done for our lives. We are called to be witnesses when conditions are favorable and when they are unfavorable. When we give witness we honor the work that God has done in our lives. When we keep our story to ourselves out of fear or anxiety or lack of confidence we limit the transforming power of God.
Ultimately, when we give witness to what God has done for us we realize that it is not our words or actions which will touch the heart of another person, but it is God working through our words. When we have the courage to share our story with others, and even those who disagree with us, we make room for God to work within us. So be bold and brave, not for personal glory or with some mistaken and delusional sense of self-importance, but with the knowledge that God will speak through us and God will do the convincing. Conversions like we see in Acts are not human acts, but divine actions. We do however, play a vital role for it is through our actions and witnessing that the transforming power of Christ will be shared with the world. This is God's best plan for the transformation of the world, in fact it is the only plan. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, so get moving!
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