Scripture
26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
Reflection
In Acts 17:16 we read Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens and it was during this time that Paul’s spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city was full of idols. Greece in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C. was fading in Paul’s day and even Athens, the proud centre of Hellenism, was past its bloom. It was still a vital cultural centre with a lot of influence. The Athenians were very proud people and coupled with the fact that Greece’s power was fading, Paul writes verses 26-28, to tell them, they were all born from one man, Adam addressing their prideful culture. Paul’s audience believed they were better than other people. Paul is also reassuring them that, unlike the other numerous idols they worship, God is not a far-off God who is not interested in a relationship with them. Paul is informing them, Jesus also died on the cross for them so that they can have a personal relationship with him.
In these verses, Paul was exposing pride as well as reassuring the people of Athens that there is hope.
Thoughts for the day
- What is one aspect of your life that has ‘pride’ written all over?
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What does this passage tell you about humanity?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.
Prayer
Stop and pray for someone who is near to you right now, someone you can see.
