The Book of Acts ~ Study Fifty-Two

"Sharing Their Weakness"


Acts 16:1-5 (NLT) Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.

We travel on with Paul meet different people that the Lord put his path. When Paul reached Derbe he met a with a young man named Timothy whose mother was a Jewess and father was a Greek. Paul wanted him to travel with him because he was his student (disciple). He circumcised him because he wanted the Jews to accept him not because he thought it was required to be a believer. Paul respected the limitations of some people and wanted to bring them to Christ and not make the way hard for them to hear the Word.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT) Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
   When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Is Paul hypocritical? I don't believe so. He knew that he was free in Christ and as long as he followed the Law of Christ, which is to love God and love others as yourself, then he was not sinning. We too should become the kind of people required to bring others to Jesus. This is not saying that we should sin in our actions, but to respect where the person is in their life and culture, in order to bring them to Jesus.

I've always believed that because Jesus was humble and kind in His approach to people, we too should be like Him. He was never fake, rather, He was loving as He brought people to Him. When it came to sin He was confrontational but in love. Here is an instance that Jesus was involved in that shows His love and yet firmness on sin in a person's life.

John 8:1-11 (NLT) Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
   “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
   They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
   When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
   “No, Lord,” she said.
   And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”


Jesus was not showing weakness. He was showing strength and mercy. He was forgiving but He wasn't soft on sin. He simply said to the young woman to stop sinning. That's what is required for everyone. He forgives but we are required to lay down our sin, our old lives, and take up the new redeemed life He offers.

Where do you stand with Jesus? How do you treat those around you who don't know the forgiveness and grace of our Lord?

Humbling ourselves and introducing Jesus to people we interact with is our duty. We bring others to the feet of Jesus and He does the changing. He teaches what He requires of that  person. It's not our responsibility to point out their sin but to introduce them to the Savior. We have to earn the right to tell others about Jesus. Otherwise, we find ourselves facing a brick wall.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander have no place in our actions as believers. Neither does a judgmental attitude. We are not called to be judge and jury. We are called to be salt and light, attracting those who don't know Jesus to Him. He's the One who changes hearts.

Matthew 5:13-16 NLT) “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
   “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

Everything we do should always bring praise to Jesus. We are to be kind and caring, pointing others to the One who knows them best and loves them most ~ Jesus. Let's all evaluate how we are representing Jesus. Let's drop our stones and step away picking up the love and compassion of our Savior.