Experience: S2 - Day 33

The risk of rejection

Acts 17:30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”

I imagine the word in today’s passage that these Athenians would have taken the biggest offense to, was the word translated here for ignorance.  After all, these people prided themselves on being up to date on the latest knowledge, all the trends, and the most recent conversations in philosophy.  How could they be ignorant?

But the word here has more to do with ignorance in divine things than earthly things.  Something that they already alluded to with their altar to the unknown god.  They were leaving the door open to the idea that they didn’t have all the answers, that there was a possibility of something they didn’t know, and that something was likely divine because, really if we could explain everything away, then it probably wouldn’t be divine.  So they were at least somewhat ok with mystery.

Still, it may have been taken by some to be a biting word, but Paul was certainly trying to get their attention.  He continues by saying that everyone needs to repent of their sins and turn to this God because the day is coming when the world will be judged.  This sounds serious and even ominous, but what they wouldn’t have known yet is the good news of what Paul introduces them to next when he says that the judgment will come from the man this God has appointed.  They don’t know it yet, but this man is Jesus, and because Jesus is good, so too will the coming judgment be for those who cling to Him.  Because we all want justice, right? We’ve all been wronged, we’ve all seen wrongs done to others, and we know of the many injustices that happen around the world.  So yeah, we all long for the day when all is made right.

I think one critical aspect of Paul’s speech today is to remember his motivation and where his conversation ultimately leads.  Paul isn’t trying to tell the Athenians how evil they are and how they should be ashamed of themselves.  He is trying to introduce them to their need for God, how God is actually closer than they could possibly imagine, and how He’s on their side.  Then, he’s going to give them the best news in the world when he introduces them to Jesus and his story.

So when you risk rejection for the sake of the gospel, it’s so important to remember your motivation for sharing.  Our motivation should always be centered on Jesus, and His call to love.  It should always be about helping someone find their best life, and the way out of the hurt, pain, and shame this world dispenses.  If that motivation remains, then we can go forward with more confidence knowing that the God of love won’t let all of our efforts be in vain.

Questions:

1. When you think of God’s judgment, is it a good thing, or a bad thing?  Something to rejoice over, or be scared of? Unpack your answer.
2. Why is love a better motivator than fear or hate?
3. What would you be willing to risk for the God of love, who gave His life for you?