Why Do You Delay?

SCRIPTURE

Acts 22:2-16 (NRSV)
Paul describes his own baptism

When they heard him addressing them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet. Then he said:

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated strictly according to our ancestral law, being zealous for God, just as all of you are today. I persecuted this Way up to the point of death by binding both men and women and putting them in prison, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. From them I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I went there in order to bind those who were there and to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment.

"While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.' Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. I asked, 'What am I to do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, 'Get up and go to Damascus; there you will be told everything that has been assigned to you to do.' Since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, those who were with me took my hand and led me to Damascus.

"A certain Ananias, who was a devout man according to the law and well spoken of by all the Jews living there, came to me; and standing beside me, he said, 'Brother Saul, regain your sight!' In that very hour I regained my sight and saw him. Then he said, 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear his own voice; for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.'


DEVOTION

How I wish all of us were as transparent about our sin and salvation as the Apostle Paul!

I love today's scripture passage because it is a wonderful example of how we, as Christians, are called to be bold and courageous in our witness about Jesus Christ!

Paul did not mince words or make his story prettier than it actually was. He wholeheartedly admitted that he was a sinner, saved only be the grace of God. He was specific about his sin (e.g., I persecuted this Way up to the point of death...), and he was forthright about his conversion.

Paul did not take any credit for his own change of heart or behavior. He gives all the credit to Jesus Christ who met him along the Damascus road and illuminated his very heart!

Furthermore, he acknowledges the work and ministry of another Christian named Ananias, who took him by the hand and discipled him in the faith.

Like Paul, all of us were unrepentant sinners at some point in our lives either because of ignorance or belligerence. All of us had an encounter with the divine which revealed Jesus to us in some form or fashion and all of us are discipled--or taught--by other believers who help us to walk in The Way.

I love Ananias' words to Paul. He said, "'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear his own voice; for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.'

Whilst most of us have never seen Jesus face to face, all of us are chosen by God to know God's will, to hear God's voice, and to be God's witnesses.

So, why do we delay? What hinders us from sharing our good news testimony with others? What keeps us from calling on the Name of Jesus, trusting in Him to wash away our sin and make provision for our eternal life?

If we think about it, we will probably realize that we don't have a good answer to any of these questions!

Sharing our personal testimony with others is easy. After all, most of us know how to tell a good story!

Today, I want to invite all of us to be like Paul. Let us screw up our courage, be bold and authentic and tell the truth on ourselves. Perhaps through our example another sinner will come to repentance on this day.

Peace be with you.

Let us pray:

God of Light and Love thank you for revealing yourself to humanity in the person of Jesus Christ! Please help me to be bold in sharing my testimony with others. I believe that you gave Jesus to die on the cross to make atonement for my sin and gift me with eternal life. I know that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day, just like he promised that he would. God, please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can be a good news ambassador everywhere that I go! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.