“Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver” (Acts 19:19)
TEXT — Acts 19:13-20
Message
It was a practice in Roman warfare to destroy bridges. Most times, the bridges were destroyed behind the Roman armies in order not to be able to beat a retreat in their fight against the enemy. It is said that the great Caesar commanded his legions to burn the bridges behind him after crossing the Rubicon in 49 B.C. It was a show of no retreat, no surrender.
According to our text, the new believers in Ephesus knew the importance of starting afresh. They confessed and brought evidence of their former lives. Those who used curious, magical and occult arts brought their books together and burned them publicly, indicating their newfound faith and total break from their past.
When a genuinely converted sinner decides to follow Christ fully, he must destroy any link that could take him back to the world. This is not an assurance of an easy new life but a confirmation of absolute faith in Christ. Sadly, some Christians today profess Christ and yet keep some of the curious arts and fetish items they once used while in the world. If you fail to burn the bridge that links you to the world, you may one day want to walk back on that same bridge to the world.
A truly converted person has no business looking back. Christ has paid it all and said, “It is finished.” Therefore, burn that bridge that once connected you to sin and Satan. All you need as a believer is in Christ – grace for righteousness and holiness, power to overcome temptations and trials, provision, protection, healing, health, mercy, favour, etc. Above all, God will give you the grace to follow Him until you see Him face to face.
Thought for the day
Burn the bridge that links you to the world so you would not have to go back on it.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
2 comments
Lord Jesus more grace to be steadfastness and total consecration in the give me the grace and power in Jesus name
Daddy DR. W.F KUMUYI has touched and repaired live. I am one of them. I am grateful to the Almighty God for gifting the world such an Evangelist whose belief and faith in God does not waiver at any minute. May the Almighty God protect and keep him till the total fulfillment of his ministry here on earth in Jesus name amen.
Lord Jesus more grace to be steadfastness and total consecration in the give me the grace and power in Jesus name
Daddy DR. W.F KUMUYI has touched and repaired live. I am one of them. I am grateful to the Almighty God for gifting the world such an Evangelist whose belief and faith in God does not waiver at any minute. May the Almighty God protect and keep him till the total fulfillment of his ministry here on earth in Jesus name amen.