In Acts chapter 16, we learn about a slave girl who was bound to men who used her to make a lot of money. They found she had an evil spirit by which she predicted the future, so they used her for “fortune-telling.”
Whatever that spirit was, it knew that Paul and his friends were “servants of the Most High God,” and it moved her to pester the new missionaries in town. This slave girl connected with the gospel of Jesus by way of surprise. Paul grew so annoyed by her carrying on that he told the spirit to leave her “in the name of Jesus Christ”. Immediately she was free, Hallelujah! Not just from her demonic master but from her human ones too. She experienced Christ’s power as an unexpected gift.
In scripture, Paul walked and talked the gospel, bringing radical change and setting her free. She no longer fit into an exploitative system. The gospel changed her life and upset the social balance, and that stirred up trouble for Paul and Silas.
Today, some people try to stuff the church into limiting categories and definitions. But the dynamic church, true to the gospel, cannot be contained by secular rules or laws. The gospel brings personal and social change. Jesus brings salvation that triumphs through losing, prospers through giving, and leads through serving. When Jesus’ power comes into our life, we do not look at people or social status in the same way. We begin to see everyone and everything with Jesus’ eyes of love and justice.
“In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” Acts 16:18.
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for coming to set captives free and caring for the poor. Thank you for replacing the annoying devil from my life. Thank you for removing me from the exploitative system the enemy operates. And thank you for setting me free from that limited Christian mindset that seeks to define your Spirit. Help us not to compare your kingdom to any earthly secular organization, in Christ’s name. Amen.
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Godinterest Community Fellowship is dedicated to proclaiming Christ and set apart to save and empower lives. Sign-up to receive inspiration to draw closer to God each day.
Our Location: The Advent Centre, Crawford Place, London, W1H 5JE
Regular Meetings Divine Service: Every Saturday from 11:15 AM
