The beloved physician Luke shared how Paul the apostle told the philosophers of Athens on Mars' Hill, “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent. Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance unto all men, in that he has raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear you again of this matter”, and in chapter seventeen and verse thirty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Paul departed from among them” where we read:
So Paul departed from among them.
The verse reads, “So Paul departed from among them.” Luke began with the words, “So Paul” which means “then, therefore, wherefore and on this account Paul whose name means small or little” “departed from among them” or “left and went forth from the philosophers in Athens”. Luke shared how “Paul” left the “philosophers” on “Mars' Hill” after sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” did not linger and continue discussions with the “philosophers in Athens” upon “Areopagus or Mars' hill”. He went away from them, and they were left with his words continuing in their hearts and minds. Sometimes people receive the gospel of Jesus Christ, and other times, they do not. Sometimes after people share the good news of Jesus with others, they should simply leave them. God continues, through His Holy Spirit, to convict and convince the souls of people that the words of the gospel are leading them to a personal relationship with the Almighty God. He will never force anyone to relate to Him, however, He will work overtime in their hearts and minds to convince them of His love and forgiveness that awaits those who submit to His Son Jesus. Let all who read these words carefully examine the “gospel” of Jesus Christ, and with these words being written, the one sharing this teaching will depart.
Next time Luke shares how, “certain men clave unto him, and believed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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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