The physician Luke wrote when, “the apostles which were at 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 Ghost. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter told Simon, “you have neither part nor lot in this matter” where we read:
You have neither part nor lot in this matter: for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
The verse begins, “You have neither part nor lot in this matter:” Luke began with the words, “you have neither part nor lot” which means “you, Simon, do not have a share, portion or allotted portion” “in this matter” or “in the decree, mandate, order and moral precepts given by God”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Simon” he did not “share” in any “portion” of the pouring out of God's Holy Spirit upon people.
The verse continues, “for your heart is not right in the sight of God.”. Luke added the words, “for your heart” which means “because, since and on account that your, Simon's, soul or mind as they are the fountain and seat of thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors” “is not right” or “does not exist as straight forward, upright, true and sincere” “in the sight of God” which means “within the presence belonging to the Heavenly Father God”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Simon” his “mind and soul” were not “sincere and upright” in the presence of God.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” continued his rebuke of “Simon” as he told him he possessed no “portion” with the giving of the Holy Spirit because his “mind and soul” were not “sincere” before God Almighty. God's spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit was to be given to the believers in His Son Jesus, and this was not a “magic” trick like “Simon” was used to purchasing. God loves people, and His desire is to save them from their sins and give them the “power” through His Holy Spirit to live a righteous life and be a witness for Him. Everyone who examines the “heart” of “Simon” should understand how there are some things money cannot buy, and to attempt to purchase the spiritual things of God should never be the desire of those who follow Him.
Next time Luke shares how Peter told Simon, “repent therefore of this your wickedness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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