In love with facts or people?

God's people have been persecuted since time began. Reading today in Acts 12 Herod the king decides to win a popularity contest when he figures out that "laying violent hands on some who belonged to the church" "pleased the jews."

Why didn't the resurrection of Jesus validate all Christian's witness post-cross? Could it be that just the facts aren't enough to turn people to God? Despite the facts, despite the truth, despite the evidence, man still chooses to turn away from God and go his own way.

How do we reason with people like that? People who won't stop and examine the evidence for our faith? We don't. They won't be won over by our persuasive arguments. They won't be convinced by "Evidence that demands a Verdict" or "I don't have enough Faith to be an Athiest." Both great books by the way!

People who won't give in to reason must be touched by love. That's why Jesus spend more time talking about loving one another rather than debating the scriptures. As it is written, "...if I...understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing"

The facts of our faith will be real to people when we act out towards others in love. They may not see the reasoning, the rationale, or the evidence of our faith initially. But that's okay. Let them see our love. Unconditionally love. Loving first because He first loved us.

With a wave of my magic wand

"Amazed them with his magic" could be said about many people in our day. David Copperfield. David Blaine. Chris Angel. They are tremendous showmen, trained in the art of misdirection and mystery. Their acts of illusion baffle the common viewer making the impossible seem possible and the extraordinary appear ordinary.

However, this phrase wasn't spoken about any of them. This statement was made about Simon the Sorcerer from Acts chapter 8. Simon was a skilled showman in his day amazing the crowds with his acts of prestidigitation. It's debatable whether Simon's magic was in the vein of magicians in our day or if he practiced darker arts & magick.

What is known is that as Philip preached the Good News about the kingdom of God, Simon believed and was baptized (Acts 8:13). So whether you teach faith alone saves you or a plan of salvation including baptism saves you, Simon is a new Christian. His sins are washed away and his hope is in Jesus Christ.

Sadly, we learn that Simon's heart is not right with God (vs. 21). He is immediately told to repent. Repentance is part of God's plan for our salvaiton, and is taught as a step to new life in Christ (See II Cor. 7:10). However, just because someone is a new Christian doesn't mean they won't sin. They will. We're like new babies in our faith. We're bound to fail. In case of sinning after becoming a Christian John writes to Christians in 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins adn to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Simon is told to repent from thinking he could purchase the power to lay his hands on people and heal them. It is a free gift from God and not to be confused with some magical art.

Some believe Simon never became a Christian. I disagree. I believe we see here a process that all new Christian deal with. After accepting Christ through faith, repentance, and baptism, we must still deal with short-comings and sin. Our spiritual journey involves replacing our old, sinful habits with God's grace and forgiveness. It's a process, not a wave of the magic wand. Step by step, by confessing and repenting of sins committed after our salvation, we walk closer to Jesus our Savior.