Week 17
Acts 13:48 “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”
The greatest and most satisfying experience in all of humanity is to be saved! There literally is nothing like it. The Gentiles thought that the salvation of God’s grace in Jesus Christ was only for Jewish people, and when they heard that they too were invited to the gracious banquet table of God’s love and mercy, they rejoiced exceedingly. And well they should – salvation through Jesus Christ is the greatest gift in life.
Christian friend, use this text to think about the wonder and the glory of the gift of faith. These Gentiles rejoiced in the gospel, and they believed. But why did they believe? Is believing a simple thing? Is faith a minor issue in life? Oh no! If we think this way, we miss the mark entirely. Our text states clearly that those who had been “appointed to eternal life believed.” Divine appointment precedes belief; divine appointment secures belief. Our belief in Jesus Christ is a mirrored reflection of God’s eternal and sovereign choice of the elect. Every believer is given this glorious assurance – God has chosen you for salvation and eternal life.
This is not a cause for pride; this is a call to humility and joy. May we who believe in Christ rejoice sincerely and greatly in God’s sovereign mercy and grace. In the eternal halls of God’s intention and plan in eternity past, our names were called before the angels; we were chosen and given to the eternal pre-incarnate Son of God as His bride and sheep. Surely the angels covered their angelic faces in wonder as God announced His intent to save His chosen people. How much more did the angels gaze in amazement as God the Father sent God the Son in incarnate flesh to be the Savior and Sacrifice for His elect people. And how magnificently do the angels sing the praises of God when a sinner is brought home in saving faith! All of this is gloriously manifested in the salvation of sinners in this world.
The sovereign and elect saving grace of God to those who believe in Christ serves as a comforting and assuring reality for the living of life and the facing of death. We can, and we must, face the realities of fear, betrayal, sorrow, grief, sickness, and death emboldened by the power of knowing that we belong to God through His eternal appointment manifest in saving faith in our lives. This is the stunning reality in human history and eternity – God saves sinners who believe in Him fulfilling God’s eternal choice and plan.
Christian friend, let your salvation in Jesus Christ be your joyful and hopeful help every day you live. No matter what happens in life, remind yourself that God saved you, which serves as your certainty of divine assistance and care throughout your days on this earth.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me when I am tempted to not cave-in to despair but to remember that I am saved. Help me to remember that my salvation in Jesus Christ is the visible demonstration of Your sovereign eternal choice in my life. May this give me joy today. Amen.