Thursday, December 12, 2019

Thursday Devotional (for 11/21/19) - Harsh or a Second Chance?


Acts 5:1-2      Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Ananias and Sapphira did more than lie and act stingy. They wanted glory for themselves (see this passage in light of the end of chapter 4). It was about them and not God. Peter confronted Ananias and he immediately died. Then…
Acts 5:7-11    About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Does this seem harsh? When first reading it, it may. However, notice how Peter gives Sapphira a second chance. He gives her an opportunity to repent and tell the truth.    

Recently, I gave one of my kids an opportunity to tell their story a second time, with accurate facts. In “fixing” their story, the consequence was different than it would have been. We again talked about how lying and any sin is ultimately against God and nothing gets by Him!

What sin do you and I need to acknowledge, repent of, and turn from? Who is the sin really against? Who else is affected? How can God’s presence and power help so you and I can continue to grow? You and I can fearlessly ask God to reveal sin because He will forgive. He also offers a way out, help to turn from it, and help to replace it.


Alice

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