City Life Starter

I. The Word

Acts 17:16-17

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.

Colossians 1:9-14

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:28-29

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

II. Reflection Questions:

1. Am I prepared to speak the truth in boldness and in love?

2. Am I more concerned with how God views me, or how people view me?

3. If I make a dogmatic statement, am I necessarily intolerant?

4. Who is the origin and source of all truth?

By Jason Schezer

Dogmatic can mean that a set of principles about faith or morals is being set forth, or it can have the connotation of arrogance. When we think about witnessing to others about the reality and greatness of new life in Christ, we may too often be overcome with fear of coming across as arrogant, intolerant, uncaring, cold. We also forget that people do not so much reject us when declining to receive the Good News; they reject Christ Himself when they truly understand the Good News but decide not to receive Him.

There are many religions and belief systems in the world, and they are not all correct. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” We cannot in good intellectualism actually affirm every belief. There are beliefs that cannot be agreed upon. True tolerance opens dialogue, because the Christian attitude toward people who have not placed their faith in Christ, requires that they are nonetheless respected and are not under compulsion to join Christianity.

Paul was distressed in Athens that there were a lot of idols. Yet he found a way to relate personally to the people of that city by observing their way of life, seeing that they were very religious. Everyone worships something or someone. We have been marvellously created by God to relate deeply and perfectly to God in pure worship. Though the relationship to Him is broken and corrupted beyond recognition, we still long for greatness wherever we can find it in our natural (unspiritual, unenlightened) state. Paul did not hate the people of Athens for having idols, put them down or insult them from his high position. Instead, he seized upon the open dialogue opportunity to explain the glory and reality of God to them in a way that made sense.

In his letter, Colossians, Paul lays on the table for all to see his heart for the churches, by the way that he prays passionately. Paul prayed unceasingly that they would be filled by God with the knowledge of His will. When Paul prayed this way, he was asking the Creator of heaven and earth to shine the light of His glory into human hearts to effect an eternally lasting change that is life-giving.

The result of praying in this way is that we, and the people for whom we pray earnestly, will know and understand the will of God more closely. We will be able to bear spiritual fruit that is lasting and to please God, which is something that was completely impossible prior to God filling us with the knowledge of His will. Without knowing His will, we naturally turn toward idols and remain in darkness which leads to death.

Paul goes on to say in the 1st chapter of Colossians that we had been subject to the dominion of darkness. It can be difficult for many people to believe that there is a devil who holds power over the kingdom of darkness, yet the Bible has so much to say on the reality of Satan and that he is the enemy of God. Oh the glorious work of Christ on the Cross! Jesus wrestled all the powers of darkness and triumphed over them on that marvellous, glorious, yet terrible Cross!

People are under the dominion of darkness, helpless and without hope until God shines the light of His glory into hearts. It’s only when God shines His light to open our hearts, that we can be transferred to the kingdom of light. And what a difference it is!

Paul’s unchanging goal was to present each person, perfect, unto Christ. He worked extremely hard to that end, letting nothing get in his way. Let us live with new priorities that put God’s kingdom at this level of importance.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the ultimate truth, all the time, in all places, for all peoples. He is the Messiah, the LORD, the Son of God, to all peoples forever and ever, and He is absolute truth. God grant us grace and wisdom to make Him known.

IV. Prayer:

LORD, help me today so that my concern is with pleasing you and not pleasing people. Let me tolerate and accept and love all those that you bring into my life, but let the glory of Your light shine brightly through my life. Teach me to pray fervently for others so that I can participate as You are working powerfully in our world to save many men and women. Strengthen me by your glorious power so that I am useful to You, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.