Freedom in Responding

I've always been intrigued by Lydia in Acts. She was at least moderately successful, as fabric dyeing was an important commercial trade in the first century. We know she was successful because we see through scripture she had her own house... and servants.

We read in Acts 16 about when the Lord "opened her heart to respond" to Paul's preaching of the gospel. I love that wording. It marks that Lydia's conversion was an act of the Lord, and not of Lydia's own strength or will. We see through this situation that God longs for relationship with His people- and He met Lydia's deepest need, a need for salvation and relationship. According to this passage, she responds to the Gospel in two ways: baptism and hospitality. Lydia and all of her household is baptized, and immediately after her baptism, she invites Paul and Silas to her home.  Which, is exactly what they needed, a landing spot. Paul and Silas had been in prison, and I'm sure were in need of community and a home cooked meal.

After a few different conversations the past few weeks, and reading more into Lydia's response to the Gospel, I'm becoming quite certain of something, pretty ground breaking for me. People respond to the Gospel in different ways. While working in a church, I would love to say that I can measure clearly how everyone responds to Christ's salvation. I would love to create for you a beautiful, cookie cutter graph answer for you, of how x% of adults respond to the Gospel by getting plugged into a Sunday school, or how some spend 10 hours a week giving to those in need. But, I can't.

Often, expecting everyone to respond the same way to Christ leaves me disappointed and let down, when I don't see change or renewal in one certain area of a friend's life. Why isn't there a set process, of responding to the Gospel, much like how we have Order of Operations in Algebra? For my sanity, I would love for that to exist.


But, guys, PRAISE GOD He operates outside of confines and outside of our understanding. His truth brings freedom and not a certain, stale, habitual way of living.


This has been a learning process for me. I think the most important part is the response, not how we do it. I think theologically, there are necessities in how we make ourselves right with God through repentance and forgiveness from Christ.  Repentance and Baptism should always be first to our response to Christ's salvation. Putting ourselves before Christ and showing\proclaiming a visible sign of God's grace upon our lives.  But, in terms of lifestyle and living, people have different responses in how they are going to proclaim Christ to the ends of the earth. People can't keep living as they were before salvation.   Something has to change, if we are fully responding to God.   I'm learning that the way I respond to God's truth is going to be different than how people in my community and church respond to God's truth. Some people are more inclined to respond by digging into scripture for personal gain and insight. Some, will focus on leading and guiding others into worship. Some, will jump into classes and small groups to study with others. Some, will respond by more communication with God through prayer. Some, will sell their belongings and give to those in need.

We are called to respond by doing ALL these things, but because we are humans, and so very flawed and skewed, we typically tend to put more weight and emphasis on one thing at a time. Well, at least, I do. I wish I could answer more fully of why we do that. I wish every time I was renewed by the Gospel and truth of Christ, I could say I did all of the giving, learning, worshipping, praying, fellowship-ing equally and fully. But, I can't tell you that, either.

That's why I like and am challenged by Lydia's response to the Gospel. Baptism (duh) and Hospitality. She saw a need for God's teachers to be welcomed and invited into a place of safety and comfort and so she did it! That was her response.

This week, I had a beautiful and filling opportunity to sit with new and old friends around a table, to talk about how as women, we respond to the Gospel. But more specifically, how the Gospel overflows into our relationships. (Mostly, when I put things to words by speaking or writing, that's when I come to understand concepts more clearly. I'm not sure about you but, I almost always need someone to talk things through with. So, I'm thankful when God provides me more and more people to do that with. ) So, one night this week, I came to understand more fully that my relationship with Christ should change every area of my life. Every area of my living, learning and discipling others. ALL of those areas should have a response to God's truth. There is no part of my life that should't have a response to God's truth. So, I just ask all of you for grace, as I try to succeed, but mostly fail to proclaim Christ in every area of my life. And also in hand, I ask for forgiveness as I've watched my friends and community not respond to God's grace in the exact same ways that I have\do. I realize that's stupid, and  judgmental. Have I already messed that up? You bet. But, I'm praying and seeking that God changes my friendships, praying,  studying, teaching, worshipping, living, (lack-of) hospitable nature, discipling and learning because of His truth and His freedom!