If you moved to a new neighborhood, how would you want the neighbors to welcome you? What if folks assumed the worst about you, how would you handle it? Until people have ample opportunity to closely watch your life, their opinions concerning you will naturally fluctuate. The question is, are you ready and willing to be observed? Turn with me to Acts 28 and let's see how the apostle Paul dealt with a similar situation…
Acts 28:1-6 (KJV)
And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called
Melita. [2] And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for
they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present
rain, and because of the cold. [3] And when Paul had gathered a bundle
of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat,
and fastened on his hand. [4] And when the barbarians saw the venomous
beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man
is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth
not to live. [5] And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no
harm. [6] Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down
dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm
come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
This interesting scene opens after Paul and the others with him escaped shipwreck, landing unavoidably on the island of Melita, about one hundred miles south of Sicily. The Bible says the islanders initially treated the newcomers with extreme kindness, an unusual hospitality extended by foreigners. Sad to say, those without Christ who we don't expect to behave suitably, oftentimes display greater kindness than those who claim to know the Lord!
Luke 16:8 (KJV)
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely:
for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the
children of light.
What did the islanders do to welcome the victims of the shipwreck? Verse 2 shows that they kindled a fire. If you need some ideas about how to welcome people into your neighborhood or even into your church, here is some great counsel! Ladies, are you in the habit of extending warmth to newcomers, of kindling a fire, so to speak? Do you receive people well? By that I mean, do you seek to draw near to those who have entered your sphere of influence and spark a friendly conversation with them? If you stopped to really think about it, you'd realize there are many people around you living shipwrecked lives that need your love and attention. Far too many Christians live cold, isolated lives! It's time we learned from these islanders and displayed hospitality to folks the LORD has sent our way. Yes, we must view these occasions as DIVINE appointments and ignite greater intimacy as ambassadors for Christ. Scripture also mentions that not one newcomer was rejected – every member of the shipwrecked party received a warm reception…
James 2:1 (KJV)
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of
glory, with respect of persons.
What a breath of fresh air this island provided these weary travelers, amen? Is it that way in your church, I wonder? Even though it was cold and rainy and they probably didn't even speak the same language, kindness was still exhibited in some small way. Ladies, whether you are “the new kid on the block” or part of the block on which the new kid arrives, are you showing yourself friendly to others? Do you have to wait until the climate is “just right” before you'll approach people or try to get to know someone? Take note that Paul gathered sticks for the fire these people were kind enough to start. He worked with the islanders to make the situation a positive experience; Paul stimulated the flames of human fellowship. As a Christian, this servant of the Lord strove to exemplify Christ in every setting - familiar and unfamiliar. When “foreigners” make attempts to get to know you, do you contribute fuel to friendships, or are you allowing the fire to die out through your indifference to what God would ignite?
Proverbs 18:24a (KJV)
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…
What does the Bible say in verse 3 happened to Paul when he was lying sticks on the fire? A venomous viper unexpectedly latched onto his hand while Paul was working to keep the fire burning - almost as if to hinder his progress with the foreigners! Ladies, don't rule out the fact that the devil doesn't want Christians to build positive relationships with new people because he does not want the gospel to spread! Are you complying with Satan’s wishes by isolating yourself or are you laboring together with God for lost souls?? The emergence of the venomous beast was a chance for these islanders to watch this newcomer, a man of God, handle an intense situation! Likewise, don't be surprised if the Lord doesn't use you to exhibit His grace to those who do not know Him… This is the very reason we must be willing to have our lives closely observed by persons alien to the things of God.
Philip. 1:12 (KJV)
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened
unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Seeing that the viper attacked Paul, what did the islanders conclude in verse 4? The Bible says the Melitians opinion of the apostle began to fluctuate; they assumed that since something dreadful took place in Paul’s life, his mishap must be a form of punishment for a grave misdeed, the worst being that of murder in their minds. Ladies, when you find yourself in the midst of an unanticipated predicament, whom do you trust to carry you through? How do you preserve your reputation with people who don’t know you very well? As always, Paul's trust was in the Lord and the viper did not overcome him by the opinion of others. Scripture says he shook off the beast and felt no harm. Paul resisted the devil and rested in His Father's promise of care and protection, and God’s strength and power to persevere! How about you, dear lady? When met by opposition, how easy is it for you to shake off Satan's toxic darts and his efforts to infect your Christian influence? Are you strong enough to withstand hellish attempts to contaminate the formation of godly relationships for the sake of the gospel?
James 4:7 (KJV)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you.
When Paul was unaffected by the snake's bite, the people of Melita exposed their superstitious beliefs… The Bible says that after the islanders looked on Paul a great while and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds about this outsider. Again, are you willing to endure persons watching your life as long and as hard? Paul should have swollen from the jab he received from the viper and was supposed to drop dead suddenly – a typical response to a poisonous snakebite, therefore they thought him a god because he was unbothered by the surprise attack. Ladies, we must tell unbelievers WHO it is that helps us overcome evil and WHO it is they should credit for the miracles and preserving power in our lives. It is not we who are remarkable, but the Lord in us!
In conclusion, are you responding to life's trials in a manner typical to most, or in a miraculously calm and confident manner as did Paul? Are you coming through unanticipated personal attacks free from contamination? Are you mindful of the sort of interaction and influence you have with other people? Is your example warm enough to satisfy Jesus? Is your testimony infected with evil spirits or the Holy Spirit? Though countless Christians have dropped dead from the least little bite of the Beast, don’t let that diminish your desire to welcome newcomers, broaden your sphere of influence, and deepen your relationships. Whether you realize it or not, someone is watching the way you handle yourself in “heated” situations, so pave the way for the gospel in every opportunity that arises!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
