Acts 19:11-20
Book burning is almost always a bad sign. It is generally associated with close-minded, intolerant folks. Historically this sort of thing has run the gamut from German Nazis burning “offensive” material to an awkward moment in 1979 when a Major League Baseball game in Chicago was forfeited during Disco Demolition Night. But our reading from Acts today speaks of book burning in positive terms, as an indication of the profound effect the gospel was having, especially in Ephesus. There Paul was evangelizing with such power that even some who had previously believed in magic were converting to Christianity. “Also many of those who became believers confessed and disclosed their practices. A number of those who practiced magic collected their books and burned them publicly; when the value of these books was calculated, it was found to come to fifty thousand silver coins” (Acts 19:18-19). The big difference between what happened in Ephesus and other such demonstrations is that it was the owners of the books themselves who were burning them. They had become so committed to the new faith that they were willing to sever all ties with their previous beliefs, a sort of reverse idolatry.
By no means do I recommend or support the burning of books or other material. But I do wonder which of our possessions––or our perspectives––might make the biggest blaze were we to dispose of them in such a way. What is standing most firmly between us and God? What is most severely hampering our ability to respond to God’s will? Are we willing to build a “spiritual fire” in which to leave these factors behind? I think it is well worth the thought, because no matter what value the culture may place on our idols, if they keep us from a full relationship with God they are truly worthless.
Prayer: Lord, help us to let go of anything that stands between us and you, and help us to live according to your will at all times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment