He Has Set a Day

Scripture: Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. Acts 17:29-31

Observation: Paul begins his speech in Athens by observing that the people are "very religious." However, he ends it by making a very clear differentiation between religion and faith. In these verses, Paul clarifies that "the rules have changed" - so to speak - with the resurrection of Jesus. That act was proof of God's divine being, of his authority, of his love for mankind, and ... that judgment will come upon those who do not believe.

Application: Everywhere Paul went - in this chapter alone, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens - he preached the "good news". He told them about redemption and eternal life through faith in God and belief in Jesus as the promised Messiah and savior of the world. However, it is at the very end of his speech here where Paul provides the clarification of why Jesus is "good news", and it is this: God will no longer overlook ignorance and lack of faith ... he has now provided his proof, and set the day for when judgment will come.

This means Jesus is in fact GREAT news - he is the only news that could save us from God's judgment. However, for anyone who refuses to believe, this final message of Paul is terrifying ... they live under God's impending judgment. You would think this would make everyone flock to Jesus, but of course it doesn't. It didn't then, and it doesn't now. Why?

Today, that answer is clear: They don't believe in God in the first place. They look at life, the universe, everything, and they see ... a series of one-in-a-billion accidents, which resulted in them being born with no purpose but to live for a random amount of time before ceasing to exist. Or more confusingly, they DON'T believe that, but believe is some random religion (just like the people of Athens) that somehow rejects both the concept of accidental existence and the concept of God the creator.

I personally understand the people at the (albeit wildly impossible) extreme more than I understand those in the irreconcilable middle ground. However, that's the ground we must seek. Those people "believe" something - just like Paul identified the Athenians were "very religious" - and thus provide a source for conversations.

Prayer: Lord, in this place you have put me, help me to find those who are in the middle ground. Help me speak to those who have a belief in something they cannot reconcile, and then please give me the wisdom and knowledge to present to them the clear, simple, and loving Good News of Jesus. I know you have set the day of your judgment, and the clock is ticking. There are times when I wish it would be now, but until it comes may I act with urgency to do your will. Amen.