This Is the Way: A 30-Day Journey Through the Book of ActsНамуна

How Far Will You Go?

By Kara Daniel

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. —Acts 16:1-3 (NIV emphasis added)

After reading today’s passage, let’s imagine how this conversation must have sounded:

“Hey, Timothy, it’s so good to see you again! I keep hearing fantastic things about you. You know, I really see God’s hand on your life and know there’s a place for you in this ministry. But first, there’s something I need you to do . . ..”

I’m sure most men today would not say, “Sounds good, Paul! I’m in!” In fact, I’m a hundred percent sure none of the guys in my house would raise their hands for this! Surprisingly, though, Timothy agreed to it.

Paul believed Timothy was the best candidate to partner with him on his mission to reach the Gentiles. He also knew Timothy was the son of a Greek man and a Jewish woman, and if there was anything that might hinder their ministry or create friction with the Jews, it would be the issue of circumcision. Instead of allowing this potential barrier to stop them, he opted for Timothy to get circumcised ... as a grown man! While Timothy knew it was not required of him as a believer under the new covenant, especially with a Gentile father, he consented in hopes they could reach more people for Christ.

When we think about what it looks like for the Church to actually be the Church, let’s consider acts like Timothy’s and how they should impact our own actions as believers in Jesus. To be clear, no one is asking anyone to run to the doctor for this procedure! But there is a principle found in Timothy’s selflessness that will serve us well to understand.

Every day we’re faced with situations where we must consider the impact of our actions on others. The second we’re associated with the word Christian or say we’re believers, people start paying more attention to us. Often, they watch everything we do and listen to everything we say and then use it as a guideline to determine their own thoughts and feelings about Jesus. Realizing we’re responsible for enhancing or tainting a person’s perspective of Christ and His Church should hold us accountable and help us make good decisions.

Recently, I found myself on the frustrating end of a phone call where I needed to request a refund from a local business. Either I was not communicating clearly, or the customer service representative wasn’t listening well that day. As the call progressed, I could feel the tension rising in my body and hear my tone of voice escalating. My propensity to believe the best was quickly dying, and I was on the verge of responding completely out of character.

Fortunately, my favorite helper, the Holy Spirit, was speaking and reminding me to consider how my actions might impact this person. So I shifted my attitude. As the conversation eased, the representative said she often deals with our church and loves working with us! I can’t tell you the sheer relief I felt when I realized the Holy Spirit saved me from myself and from leaving a negative impression on someone who likes our church and could be searching for God.

In today’s world, most of us know our rights, are quick to consider our own needs, and have become experts in communicating our boundaries. But how many of us can say we’re willing to lay those things aside and put ourselves in a place of discomfort or inconvenience for the sake of another? Moreover, would we make the choice to deny ourselves and not interfere with someone else’s opportunity to encounter Jesus?

The freedom we find in our relationship with Christ affords us the opportunity to love others the way He loves the Church. This love is selfless and considers the needs of others above our own. Paul knew this type of love would be needed to reach the people they encountered, and it was the same love chosen by Timothy in his decision to submit to circumcision.

If we keep reading Acts 16, we see that Paul and Timothy “went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day” (vv. 4–5). As I read these words and consider the intention of this passage, I can’t help but surmise that Timothy’s selfless decision and his choice to love the way he did ultimately impacted the health and growth of the Church. Wow!

Like Timothy, we should consider those around us and serve as a witness of Christ to them. We must choose our actions and words with care. While we may have “the right” to share our opinions on social media, respond angrily when someone cuts us off in traffic, or reprove someone who has offended us, we are ultimately representatives of Christ everywhere we go. With the power of the Holy Spirit, every encounter with others is an opportunity to show them the love of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit will empower you to truly love others. If your behavior is motivated by fear, religion, or anything other than God’s love, I encourage you spend time in the Word and in prayer. Then, you can live in such a way that you point people toward the Lord, not away from Him. Making the choice to love sacrificially and to rely on the Holy Spirit will change lives around you and expand His kingdom!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of being Your child. I ask You to make me sensitive to those around me. Strengthen me to love people in such a way that my decisions encourage them to have an encounter with You. I praise You and thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who empowers me to live a life of love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Activation

• Reflect on a recent situation where you felt justified in asserting your rights or opinions. Consider how Timothy chose to set aside his rights for the sake of ministry and others’ salvations. How could you make a similar choice to prioritize someone else’s well-being?
• Was there a time when your emotions got the better of you? How could you have responded differently by relying on the Holy Spirit? The next time you feel tension rising, pause and ask the Holy Spirit to help you shift your attitude and tone.
• How are you representing Christ to the people around you through your words and actions?

For Further Study

Acts 16; John 15:13; Acts 1:1–5; 1 Corinthians 9:22; 1 Corinthians 10:23

Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?