To the Unknown God

“But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people” (Acts 17:13). The gospel message is either received or rejected and, often, when it is rejected it is openly resisted. This was the case in Berea. Consequently, the brethren “sent away Paul…and brought him to Athens” (Acts 17:14-15).

Now, Athens was a city known for its philosophers. Acts 17 tells us that “the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing” (21). Yet, for all their “wisdom” the city remained “wholly given to idolatry” (16). In fact, Paul had even “found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God” (23). When these philosophers encountered Paul in the marketplace, they called him a “babbler” and others said that he “seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection (18).

Christianity will always be “strange” to the world and its wisdom because of the resurrection. This truth (resurrection) is intrinsic to the gospel message and essential to God’s plan of redemption. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. This is the gospel (I Corinthians 15:3-4). Yet to the world and its wisdom, the message of the gospel is strange. The Jews rejected it for they “stumbled” at the concept of a Messiah who would die in supposed weakness rather than reign in power after delivering them from Rome. The Greeks thought it “foolish” that God surrender his own Son to die for his creation.

Man will never know God through the wisdom of this world. Paul reminded the Corinthians “the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (I Corinthians 1:22-25).

Christianity is not, nor has it ever been, the culmination of man struggling to find his way to God. On the contrary, it is God who took the initiative to seek and to save his fallen creation. Christianity then is a matter of believing the message that God has revealed concerning his Son, Jesus Christ. And so Paul reminds us, “the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God…For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I Corinthians 1:18, 21; emphasis added).

Paul preached this gospel, the good news to the Athenians. “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others [putting him off] said, we will hear thee again of this matter” (Acts 17:32). Is the gospel “strange” unto you? Do you stumble at the message of the resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ? The gospel is not a message that can be set aside. To put it off is to decide against it. God has made himself known in the Person of his Son. Cease from striving. Believe him today and be saved.

The Gospel is for All

Chapter 10 in the Book of Acts records for us a very clear and important principle related to the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a matter of background, the Jewish religion incorporated a very extensive and specific dietary regimen. Leviticus 11 provides a detailed “law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten” (Leviticus 11:46).

Move forward to the days immediately following the resurrection of Christ, Peter is found lodging “with one Simon a tanner, whose house was by the sea side” (Acts 10:6). It came to pass that Peter went upon the housetop to pray about noon and became hungry while food was being prepared below. As he was praying, “he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean” (Acts 10:10-14).

Peter’s response is not surprising. He was a faithful Jew and was fastidious with his dietary observances. Even so, “the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15). To drive the point home to Peter, this exchange occurred three times.

The significance lies in what immediately followed. Now there were “men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate” (Acts 10:17). God had previously instructed Cornelius, a centurion, to send for Peter who “shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (Acts 10:6). Peter then accompanied the men to Cornelius’ home.

As Peter stood before Cornelius and his household, he said “Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28). His Jewish practice had forbidden close interaction with Gentiles. But now, as a result of the vision that God had given him, Peter understood that God had other ideas.

He shared with Cornelius and his household how that Christ died for the sins of all and was raised the third day and “that it is he which was ordained to be the Judge of the quick [living] and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:42-43; emphasis added). The gospel is for all who believe. There are none that are excluded. This includes you. Have you believed?

The Chief of Sinners

Paul’s viewpoint concerning his own conversion to Christianity gives insight to the unsearchable depths of God’s grace. Prior to his salvation, he was a fervent opponent of the faith and persecutor of the church. The Bible records that Saul (Paul) “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, [he] went to the high priest and asked him for letters [authority] to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way [followers of Jesus], men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2).

Even after his conversion, his reputation made it nearly impossible for believers to receive him. Paul was blinded from his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. The Lord instructed a disciple, Ananias, to meet with Saul, lay hands on him, and restore his sight. But Ananias stumbled at this, knowing Saul’s past. “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here [Damascus] he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name” (Acts 9:13-14). Later, when Saul came to Jerusalem, “he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26).

Paul later testified himself concerning his past that he zealously persecuted the church (Philippians 3:6). In fact, writing to Timothy, he declared he was a “blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious” (I Timothy 1:13). Paul sums up his conversion this way. “I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (I Timothy 1:13-16).

God’s extension of grace and mercy to Paul demonstrates his patient willingness to save any sinner that would come to Him in faith. In addition to forgiveness, Christ also gave Paul a life of lasting joy and peace despite the difficulties he faced.

Perhaps, someone may be reading this who might argue with Paul about who is the “chief of sinners”. Maybe you think your sins are so great that they could never be forgiven. You may think no one knows how great your sins are, but Jesus knows. No matter what you have done in your past, Christ can forgive you. After all, as Paul asserted, Christ Jesus came into the world to do just this, to save sinners. Your sins qualify you for salvation. Jesus testified “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Is there a sin which the blood of Christ cannot wash away? There is none. As the old hymn says, “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”

Speak the Truth

In the days following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the believers’ love for one another was characterized by selfless giving to meet the needs of one another. The Scriptures record “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:34-35). This distribution was not the result of some apostolic imposed communal lifestyle. Rather, it was the outworking of genuine selfless love resulting in unsolicited generous giving by those that were so led by the Spirit.

However, even the early church had its hypocrites. A couple, Ananias and Sapphira, “sold a possession, and kept back part of the price…and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 5:2). The desire to be recognized for their generosity led to their intended deception. They wanted the apostles to believe they gave all when in reality they had not. Peter, led by the Spirit of God, confronted Ananias “why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?” (Acts 5:3-4). Peter testified the land belonged to Ananias and that he could do as he wished with it.

Then Peter testified to the real issue. “Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou has not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:4). Ananias upon hearing these words “fell down, and gave up the ghost”. Later, his wife confessed her complicity in the matter and died also in like manner.

God demands purity in his church and that includes being truthful. Those whose sins have been washed by the blood of Christ should not return to sinful ways of the past. Paul wrote to believers in Colossae, “Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:8-9).

Telling lies is intrinsic to our old nature. The Psalmist wrote, “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psalm 58:3). Face it, we do not need to teach children to tell lies for it is natural to us all. We teach them to tell the truth.

Why does man think that he can disregard the truth and get away with it? Perhaps, nothing speaks as loudly to our sinful nature and our need for redemption as does our bent towards lying. Christ told the Pharisees who would not believe him, “Ye are of your father the devil…he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Outside of Christ, are we any better?

The Scriptures warn in their closing pages “all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Jesus himself testified to Pilate that he came to “bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). Believe the truth. Speak the truth.

Simon and the Gift of God

The Scriptures record that following the martyrdom of Stephen “there arose a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they [believers] were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria…and went about preaching the word. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them Christ” (Acts 8:1, 4-5). Luke relates that great multitudes gave heed to Philip’s message and, as a result, “there was much joy in that city” (Acts 8:8).

“Now when the apostles [in Jerusalem] heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14-15). The Scriptures then tell us that Peter and John “laid their hands on them, and they [Samaritan believers] received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:17). Philip had preached the gospel, the people of Samaria believed on Christ, and the Holy Spirit was given to all who believed through the ministry of Peter and John. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the genuine evidence of the new birth. This same John later wrote “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (I John 4:13).

But there was a man there, Simon, who “used sorcery and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one, to whom they all gave heed” (Acts 8:9). He was quite taken with the results that the gospel ministry had on the people of Samaria and wanted to share in it. In fact, after observing that the Holy Spirit was given by laying on of the apostles’ hands, “he offered them money, saying, give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:19).

How foolish to think that the gift of God could be purchased with money. Peter rightly told Simon “Thy money perish with thee…for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness” (Acts 8:21-22). This event gave us the word “simony” used today to refer to the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges such as pardon for sins. It was foolish in Peter’s time and it is foolish today. Yet there are many who still think they can buy their way into heaven.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (other than Christ himself), testified, “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death” (Proverbs 11:4). The Psalmist is just as pointed. “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him…that he should still live forever and not see corruption” (Psalm 49:6-9).

The gift of God cannot be purchased, but it is free to all who believe for the price has been paid by God himself. This payment was not with “corruptible things, as silver and gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:18-19). Have you received God’s free gift?

Showing Compassion

While Saul was in Antioch teaching, “there came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And…one…named Agabus…signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout the world…Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea” (Acts 11:27-29). The world is frequently subject to events that create great loss of life, property, and material provision. In this case, it was great famine. But we have all seen the same ravages from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wars, etc. These are above and beyond the daily cries of the poor in our communities that we see almost everywhere we go. In fact, Jesus himself made the observation “the poor always ye have with you” (John 12:8).

The need around us is never satisfied. How should a Christian respond to the tireless clamor of pressing need for help? Every believer is to be governed by his own conscience before the Lord in his response to such pleas. But there is instruction from Scripture that can offer guidance for how we might deploy our own time, energy, and resources in such matters.

To begin, we must cultivate compassion for those in need. This means that we have to observe, recognize, and move to meet their need. When Christ was teaching in the wilderness, he said unto his disciples “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way” (Matthew 15:32). In response, Christ fed the multitude (over 4,000 people) with “seven loaves and a few little fishes.” Unlike the Lord, we often become cold and indifferent to the suffering of those around us. The fact that we cannot answer every cry for help must not justify growing deaf to these needs altogether. We must learn to show compassion when and where we can.

Two thoughts of compassion that go hand-in-hand are ability and opportunity. We note the disciples responded “every man according to his ability”. Some may have greater resources, time, or skills in response to a need than others. One might give money to buy shingles for a roof destroyed in a storm. Another may install the shingles while yet another may provide food and housing while the work is being done. God would have us use what he has given unto us, not what he has given unto others.

The opportunity to show compassion is different for each of us. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:2). When my neighbor is sick and bed-ridden, it is my “opportunity” to minister to that need, not someone who lives on the other side of town. But, on the other hand, we must not let the matter of convenience govern our compassion. Showing mercy to others in their need is seldom convenient. It is best to remember what Christ taught. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

Peter’s Message on Pentecost

In the second chapter of Acts, we have the first recorded sermon following the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The occasion was the day of Pentecost, which marked the beginning of the Feast of Weeks in the Jewish calendar. It began fifty days after Passover and was one of three feasts that required every male in Israel to appear before the Lord at the sanctuary (Exodus 34:22-23). This explains the great number of visitors in Jerusalem at this time.

Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples “I send the promise of the Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). It was on Pentecost that this promise was fulfilled. Luke records “suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they [the disciples] were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of a fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4).

It was this phenomenon of the disciples speaking in the foreign languages of the multitude of visitors that attracted attention and drew the crowd. Those observing this event “were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” (Acts 2:7-8). The Apostle Peter then took advantage of the occasion to deliver his message to this crowd.

Peter addressed two key points. First, he indicated “this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh…and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:16, 21). These “last days” created opportunity to be delivered from their sins.

Second, this opportunity for salvation was found in Jesus Christ, a man approved by God though rejected by the people. Peter charged them “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you…him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death.” (Acts 2:22-24).

Peter testified that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God and then concluded his message with this warning: “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). He went on to say, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:40-41). The message has not changed in two thousand years – Christ is the Savior. The invitation to repent and believe the gospel still remains true for “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Paul’s Journey to Rome

The Apostle Paul’s third missionary journey led him from Ephesus through Macedonia “into Greece, and there [he] abode three months” (Acts 20:2-3). He had determined that he would return through Macedonia on his way to Jerusalem for he wanted to “be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16). While he was in Greece (most probably Corinth), he wrote his Epistle to the Romans.

Paul wrote to the believers in Rome because he hoped to visit them after going to Jerusalem. He wrote to them “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you” (Romans 1:9-10). In fact, Paul went on to say “oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, but was let [hindered] hitherto” (Romans 1:13). Paul urgently wanted to visit these believers. He prayed often for its realization and sought more than once to make it happen, but his efforts were all for nothing.

Ultimately, the Scriptures record that Paul did arrive in Rome, but not without difficulty. When he came to Jerusalem for Pentecost, he was arrested, imprisoned, threatened scourging, conspired against, and sent to Caesarea. There he was imprisoned for two years. Only after appealing his case to Caesar was he sent to Rome and delivered with “certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band” (Acts 27:1). The journey to Rome was marked by harsh weather conditions at sea resulting in the destruction of the ship. The prisoners were “cast upon a certain island” (Acts 27:26) where he survived the bite of a venomous snake. Finally, he arrived in Rome where he was placed under house arrest (Acts 28:30).

The will of God is always perfect, but it is not always free from difficulty. Nor does the timing of his will necessarily coincide with our thinking. Paul made it to Rome in the will of God. We know it was God’s will because Christ himself told him “thou must be brought before Caesar” (Acts 27:24). Paul did not likely have all those events in mind when he prayed for a “prosperous” journey.

We, too, must be mindful that God’s will often leads through difficult straits. The disciples of Christ experienced this truth first hand. We read in Luke’s gospel that Jesus “went into a ship with his disciples and he said unto them, let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep and there came a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy” (Luke 8:22-23). They were certainly in the will of the Lord because he was the one who led them into the boat. Yet they were exposed to dangerous circumstances.

Our God is the God of circumstances whether it be a journey to Rome or a journey across a lake. The same holds true for you and I today. A prosperous journey in the will of God may not mean a journey free from challenges. But we can be assured that it will be a profitable journey when we are led by our Lord who is too good to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake. And, as the disciples learned, “even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matthew 8:27).

Paul’s Ministry in Ephesus

Paul came to Ephesus on his third missionary journey. While he was there “he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). Preaching and teaching in the synagogues was Paul’s practice throughout his journeys. But, as was the case elsewhere, resistance and opposition arose. “But when divers [some] were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus” (Acts 19:9).

Essentially, Paul and those that did believe left the synagogues and he taught in the school of Tyrannus. “This continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). Paul had a base of operations in Asia and the disciples that he made there went throughout the region with the gospel of Christ making more disciples.

God “wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them” (Acts 19:11-12). Such miracles were a means of authenticating God’s messenger and confirming his message (Hebrews 2:4).

Certain of the unbelieving Jews sought to copy this element of Paul’s ministry, evidently to discredit Paul and to gain their own following. But these pretenders lacked a genuine saving knowledge of Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. When they sought to make use of the name of the Lord Jesus to cast out evil spirits, “the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” (Acts 19:15). The Scriptures tell us these false messengers were overcome by the evil spirits and driven from the house “naked and wounded”.

These events had a great impact on the community as one might expect. “Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men” (Acts 19:17-19). What a great testimony to the genuineness of their repentance! Many of the Ephesians were caught up with demonic worship and practicing black magic and incantations. When they heard the true gospel and saw its power, they turned away from these practices and burned their books of magic as evidence of their faith in Christ. They turned their backs on their prior sins.

The nature of the gospel demands that we turn from our sins. Christ saves us out of our sins and from sin’s power. Wherever Paul preached, he included this message of repentance. He told the Ephesian elders later “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20-21; emphasis added). There is no salvation apart from repentance. “God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:26).

One Step at a Time

After the martyrdom of Stephen, the Scriptures indicate that “there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they [the believers] were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1). The Bible also tells us that “they that were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). This persecution and consequent scattering became the catalyst for one of the great events in the history of Christianity, the conversion of Saul, whom we know as the Apostle Paul.

The Scriptures relate that “Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters [of authority] to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way [Christians]…he might bring them to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2).  It was on the road to Damascus that Saul met the risen Lord Jesus Christ. “And…suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven…and the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest…and he [Saul] trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:3-6).

At that moment Jesus Christ became Paul’s Savior and Lord. This was manifest in Paul’s immediate obedience to Christ’s command. “And the Lord said unto him [Paul], Arise, and go into the city [Damascus], and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6).

It is remarkable that even as Paul was no doubt eager to do whatever the Lord commanded, all that Jesus said was “go into the city.” It is as though the Lord said, “Paul, take this first step and the next step will be revealed once you’ve done that.”

Often, in our lives, we want the Lord to reveal to us more than the path to follow, but where the path will lead. Yet, as he did with Paul, he says to us “take the next step and you will see better from there.” This is a hard thing for us to do. Several years ago my wife and I took a vacation that traversed the state of Georgia from northeast to southwest visiting monuments of the Civil War. I drove and she provided the directions. She had plotted the itinerary and was following a prescribed path. As you might guess, the roads we took to the monuments were often unpaved and little traveled. My job was simply to follow the road I was on until she told me it was time to make a turn. She followed the itinerary on the GPS and I just kept driving. I never had to think far ahead. I trusted her directions.

So it is with our Christian journey. Christ leads us day by day. We really do not need to know where we are going. We simply need to know and trust his leading. Dr. Bob Jones, Senior, is known to have said “The right road leads out at the right place.” Following the Lord today is the right road and he will lead us out in the right place tomorrow. As the Psalmist learned, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23). Notice he said “steps” and that is how we travel, one step at a time.