Counterfeit Power & Money

Counterfeit

I am reading the book of Acts, and have settled into the wisdom that money cannot buy good will, nor can it purchase the power of God. Money is always a cheap substitute, lacking substance, when a person is devoid of spirit. I think of the song lyrics, "Can't buy me love", and since God is love, since God is Almighty, it ought to be all too clear, that the good stuff, simply cannot be bought and sold. It is sincerity in righteousness that is rewarded: God can tell what races a mans heart, and captures his imagination. 

Held accountable 

In Acts, the first martyr was stoned to death for professing truth to the "brothers" and "fathers" that killed Jesus on a tree. In a few short paragraphs, Stephen speaks words of conviction to the rulers and priests that do not want to be held accountable for the shedding of innocent blood, despite the evidence that they were the ones that shouted loudly "Crucify him, crucify him!", referring to Jesus, a sinless man pronouncing Himself the Son of God. 

I cannot help but see this vulgar theme playing out in modern day. The murderers say, "It wasn't me", despite the vile evidence accumulating around them, piling in stinking sky high heaps. It is impossible and useless, to argue with killers, dear one. It does not make sense, to negotiate using logic, with the murderous. They have their reasons for doing what they do, and we have ours too, isn't that so?

Power of God

When I read about the miraculous signs, the healing of the sick, the casting out of demons performed by the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, enabled by the power of God, I see the opposite happening all around me. The healthy becoming sick, the demons spewing their venom from the mouths of humans, and the spirit of death running rough shod over mankind. Devoid of power, devoid of essence, the walking dead roam freely, as though they have somewhere to go: Without God, we are no one and nothing, travelling in endless, hopeless circles. The Bible is brilliant in so many ways, but most importantly, it points to life, the kind of life that can only be had through faith, and the kind of faith that has a person wanting with every ounce of being, to be obedient to God. 

The apostles experienced Jesus. They spend intimate time with Him, watching Him closely. Despite all they witnessed, they went in and out of knowing Who He was while walking this plane. It was in His resurrection, that they become doubtless: Jesus had risen the dead during His earthly ministry, and shared a celebratory feast with Lazarus, Lazarus' sisters Mary and Martha, and Jesus' disciples too, and yet it was His own resurrection that sealed the deal for the men that followed Him to and fro for three years. 

We all must die

It is the conquering of death that matters most to us, because we do not want to die, and anyone that says they do, is in dire need of knowing that God is the Author and Finisher of life, and He wants none to perish. Of course, we all must die; it is where we go after the expiry of these bodies that house our souls, that is impacted by what we believe in this one life we live. We are more than simply material beings, an obvious statement that seems lost at times, on those that are attached to the world we live in. 

In Acts, we see a man named Simon, wanting to pay for the bestowing of the Holy Spirit, so that he could do as the apostles did:

And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Peters rebuke:

But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray to God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." (Acts 8:18-23)

There was hope for Simon, dear reader. He heard what Peter proclaimed, and rather than argue or feign innocence, he did not deny being "poisoned by bitterness", and "bound by iniquity", or in other words, captive to sin. Instead, he responded with a prayer request:

Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me." (Acts 8:24) 

Supernatural realm

We don't know what happens to Simon. He had a reputation as a man with great power, as a magician, prior to meeting the apostles. He witnessed what they could do, and by comparison recognized that their abilities were far superior to his own counterfeit powers, and he wanted to level up. Make no mistake, those that work for the devil can indeed, perform what appear to be miracles, wonders, and signs, the Bible tells us so. Simon was accustomed to tapping into the supernatural realm for his own financial gain: why not add to his repertoire, and increase his wealth? Except that is not how God works...

I am hoping Simon made it to heaven. I am hoping he took the advice given him by Peter, to, "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray to God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you." I am hoping each one of us does the same, dear reader. 

The Bible is known as the book of wisdom. There is no greater place to go, then into the pages that reveal what is in the heart of man, and what God wants to replace the darkness with. The redemptive story is meant for you, and meant for me, and for Simon too, when we heed. As the New Year begins, I am desirous of "poisoned bitterness" to be removed from my heart, if there is any hidden there...

🔥 How about you, dear one? 

🔥 Is this true for you?

... for your heart is not right in the sight of God

If you see yourself the way Simon was able to see himself after Peter's adroit assessment, then good things await you, if you are willing to repent and turn back to God! I will end with one of my favourite snippets of scripture: 

Open my eyes, that I may see 

Wondrous things from Your law (Psalm 119:18)

I leave you in God's hands. He sees you, and wants only the best for you 💖