Ye Have Done It Unto Me
“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” (Acts 8:29)
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
There was a man from Ethiopia reading the 53rd Psalm as he was traveling home to his country from Jerusalem. He had been there to worship God. Apparently, he did not understand what he was reading, for Philip asked him if he understood what he read. This Ethiopian was not of the seed of Abraham, but it is apparent he believed in God. Why else would he be reading God’s word with sincere interest? Philip joined the man in his chariot and began from where the man was reading to preach unto him Jesus (Acts 8:26-40).
The Doctor’s Office
I would like to share an experience about a very young women I met while at the doctor’s office. I do not know her name, but I noticed as she walked into the room that she was upset. Something was heavy on her mind. She seemed distracted in her duties. She was there to give me an ultrasound treatment to check blood flow to my brain. Yes, I do have a brain. such as it is. I asked if she was okay. With tears almost coming from her eyes, she told me her favorite grandfather had just passed away. She also said she was afraid he was in hell because he never went to church and had never accept the Lord as his personal savior. She was in torment. It was evident she needed comfort. My heart went out to her because she believed what I used to believe, and I told her so.
IDENTIFYING THE Lord’S People
I told her that when Jesus comes back, he will gather all the people of the world and separate some on his right hand and some on his left hand. I asked her if she had ever read this in the scriptures. She said that she had read that before, but that she did not remember the whole story. So, I started with Jesus’ words about welcoming those on his right hand to enter the Kingdom of God that was prepared before the foundation of the world. She said that she remembered that as well. Then I told her that Jesus said to them because when I was hungry you gave to eat, when I was thirsty, you gave me to drink, when I was naked you clothed me, in prison you visited me and sick and you comforted me. I could see her interest in her eyes. Then I asked if she knew what those people said back to Jesus. She did not know. These people did not realize they had done anything to serve Jesus, but Jesus told them if you have done these things to the least of these my children you have done it unto me (Matthew 25:31-46).
The Fruit of the Spirit
Then I told her, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). I asked her if she saw any evidence of these things in her grandfather? She began to cry because on many occasions she went with him to help someone out with food, or to repair the front step of an old person’s porch. She remembered him caring for her bedridden grandmother. She remembered how he would pick up strangers and give them a ride in his pickup. She remembered both her grandparents feeding people from their garden. I then told her she had just told me what kind of people her grandparents were, and that if scripture is God’s truth (and it is) that they are both with the Lord now. I could see the burden was lifted from her. When she finished working on me, she walked me to the exit with a smile. I could tell she wanted to give me a hug, but I walked out the door before she could. I do not know her name, nor do I know what church she attends, but I could tell she understood at least one aspect of salvation by grace.
- Sonny Bonner