Acts 8:4-25 | God Uses Bad Opportunitiesનમૂનો

This episode in Samaria gives a window into what the early Christians (and modern ones too) faced. The good news of Jesus will bring great joy. It will also bring challenges, confusion, and the messiness of people with messy lives working out the details.

Peter called Simon to the mat. He didn’t let the gospel get distorted, or just go along with a distortion so as not to make waves. The good news is that Simon responded: “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” Simon repented. Even if motivated by fear. He not only received the good news of the kingdom. He received a rebuke from the kingdom as well. Sometimes that will happen. Sometimes. But not always.

The episode with Simon in Samaria is just one case study of this. Acts is filled with many more. So is life.

How a human heart comes to God is ultimately always in God’s hands. All we can do is represent Christ’s kingdom and bring the truth of his message. Peter and John used the opportunity to share the gospel message in many villages of Samaria. God used the bad opportunity of persecution in Jerusalem to bring his kingdom to Samaria. He used the bad opportunity with Simon to bring his truth to many Samaritans. God will work through the bad opportunities you face too. So often these can only be seen in hindsight, but trust that God has the foresight. It is an act of faith in the moment, but one that God will see through.

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