God is Not for Sale
"Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years . . . . . Everyone . . . . spoke of him as 'the Great One—the Power of God.' . . . . . Then Simon became a believer and was baptized. . . . When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. . . .
But Peter replied, 'May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought!' " Acts 8:15-20
Pastor's Blog
Believers are in danger of wanting the blessings and power of God, but not God Himself.
Simon wanted, not the gift of the Holy Spirit, but the power to lay hands on people and have the Spirit come upon them. And He thought Peter would sell him this power for money (this is where the word “simony” comes from, which means the attempt to buy spiritual office, status or power.
Peter’s reply is swift. Destruction is the only destination for such money, he says, and “you will be destroyed along with it”. (Luke doesn’t tell us what happened to Simon)
I find this so challenging. Do I honor God with preconceived notions of who God ought to be and what He ought to do, and thereby end up seeking the things of God instead of God? The only way through this I’ve found, at least for me, is to submit to God no matter what, accepting the fact that no matter what I do, or how “good” I may, nothing better that that which I already have may ever come my way.
I have earned nothing more than I already have. Nothing I can do can “buy” anything better than what I have at this very moment. It’s all gift. It’s all gift. God can’t be bought.
I am not really sure what it means to "want God Himself" . . . He is righteous, just, pure, loving, merciful and so on . . . and these are "things" that I want to have more of. So do I want God Himself or His blessings?
ReplyDeleteAnon#1, you want God Himself.
ReplyDeleteA mistake believers can make is to ascribe the finest human "characteristics" in a mental image of God, not knowing God and being known in relationship, as you described from scripture.
God will break through in any life, provided we desire a new heart and remain teachable.
God never changes it is our hard hearts and minds that must be changed.
Anon#1. Those "things" you want more of are GOD. We will only reflect these attributes in the proportion that we reflect God. The moon only reflects the sun, it has no energy itself.
ReplyDelete"Believers are in danger of wanting the blessings and power of God, but not God Himself."....
ReplyDeleteIs this comment to mean that it is possible to even have the blessings of God and His power without Him? Doesn't God provide these as He sees fit? These things are our's as believers, not out of mortal desire. We are promised these things upon believing in Him ("But you will receive powere when the Holy Spirit comes on you" Acts 1:8 for starters), so, if we are truly believers, where is the danger?
Simon didn't give a hoot where the power came from, his motive (as we know God looks to the heart) was nothing but vainglory. He wasn't a believer.
The bigger point here is if a non believer has power, where is it coming from?
To enter into the question of whether the God I know is the 'real' God does nothing but introduce doubt and confusion.
"Anyone who comes to me must first believe I exist and reward those who earnestly seek me" Hebrews 11:6
If you are seeking God, reading His Word, believe the gospel, He will reveal Himself to you (He will reward you).
But, if you doubt what He reveals, what is the point? Measure what you know with the Scriptures, ask for guidance and TRUST Him.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask Him!" Luke 11
*just as a footnote: Luke 11 is titled, "Jesus teaching on Prayer", a closer study reveals that the prayer Jesus describes is, in essence, a prayer of "Come, Jesus, Come". But, that is a study in itself, not for here....
I pray that you will confidence in your seeking and will, indeed, come to the throne boldly with your seeking....