Acts 16:29-31, 34 (NIV) The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” … The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.”
Wouldn’t it be marvelous if we could not only be saved for ourselves, but also for others as well? Yet we know that each one must make the decision for himself/herself. This is God’s plan that each one should believe in him willingly and of their own heart. God does not desire a people of robotic devotion forced to choose him. He desires a willing people—a people who want to love and serve him—a people who want to choose him.
This passage of scripture is often misused to suggest that somehow the jailer took care of the salvation of his whole household for them. Yet upon careful study, we find what the jailer did was bring Paul and Silas to his home, for the invitation had been issued by Paul and Silas themselves. The jailer not only believed in the Lord Jesus at that initial moment the message was proclaimed, but he brought the message home to his family. The passage tells how he was filled with joy, for now, not only had he come to believe in Jesus Christ, but now his whole household believed in God—willingly and of their own heart.
We cannot “be saved” for our dear loved ones and friends, but we can bring the message to them with love and with prayers. And we can ask our Heavenly Father to bring people into their path with the gospel message of Life in Christ. Whether “all the others in your house” live nearby or far away, distance is not a problem for our Heavenly Father. Our devotional theme today is one of hope and perseverance for those whom we love and who are part of our household circle yet for whatever reason are resisting belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Never lose hope and never give up praying for them.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) …he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the example of the jailer’s household—that there is yet hope for our dear loved ones and friends. May they see our lives as a living testament and example of the gospel message. We ask also that you bring other people into their pathways to share the good news of life in Christ. They are precious to us and we know they are precious to you as well. Open their hearts and minds so that they might willingly choose you.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
The devotional All the Others in the House appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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