man standing in flash on the sun
Photo by Anh Nguyen on Pexels.com

I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Acts 26:17b-18 NIV

Open Eyes

How does God turn darkness into light? How does He break the power of Satan over a person’s life? Do you have a family member or friend who is stuck in these situations? Let this verse bring you hope today.

Acts 26 is Paul’s defense to King Agrippa about why he is in chains. He has the privilege to tell his life story of being raised to live in accordance with Jewish laws, being a fervent Pharisee, persecuting Christians, His Damascus encounter with Jesus, and his ministry to Jews first and then Gentiles of the resurrection of Jesus.

I am sending you to them

  • God is the one orchestrating the sending. Matthew 28 tells us that Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth and He commands us to go.
  • The “you” in our verse is for Paul, but it is not a stretch to understand that God is sending each one of us. 
  • Who are the “them’s”? These are the people in your circles of influence. I will encounter many people that you will never meet, BUT so will you. God has placed you exactly where you are to share His good news with the people in your spheres.

To open their eyes

  • God uses the words of your testimony about how Jesus changed you to create hope for another person. If God can change you, then maybe He can change them also. When you realize how dead you were spiritually, it is exciting to now that you have been raised with Jesus into the newness of life.
  • God also uses His word to open eyes. God’s word recorded in the Bible has power. Quoting these verses in the context of your story telling or testimony sticks in their mind and heart. People need to hear that God loves them, that Jesus was sent to die for them and make a way for them to become a child of God, that belief and faith in Him is obtainable for all who confess Jesus as Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead.

Turn them from darkness to light

  • To hear the good news of Jesus’ love and sacrifice is the turning of a switch for light to come. Isaiah said that a people walking in darkness have seen a great light. The sharing of the gospel -the good news about God and Jesus – is the plan that God has laid in place for light to come to those walking in darkness.
  • God turns on the light as we share. The weightiness comes when we realize that we have been silent.  How will they hear unless one be sent? Share about Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit and people will respond to the light they now see.

From the power of Satan to God

  • Our sin shackles us to the realm and power of Satan.  This is true for everyone apart from God. There is no third middle ground of neutrality. There is not a mostly good person ground to live life upon. All have sinned and are under Satan’s rule.
  • UNTIL Jesus sets them free. His death on the cross, His life giving blood poured out as a sacrifice, His physical death and resurrection, are all part of the power of God on display to serve the defeat of Satan’s authority over those who believe.

Receive forgiveness of sins

  • Oh if we could fully see the wonderful extent of all our sins being forgiven.
  • There is no penance needed to be more forgiven – Christ has done all of the work.
  • There is no negotiating deal for us to try to live as a better person – Christ has exchanged His life for ours.
  • There is nothing left unfinished or spots of sin to remain – Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins.
  • To live daily with the knowledge that Christ has forgiven our worst thoughts and actions and makes us clean before Him, is one of the highest motivations to tell others about the good news.

Become a sanctified child of God with his other children

  • Beloved, how precious is the love of God that we should become children of God…and that is what you are. You are not a second class child, you are not an overlooked child, you are not unimportant. God loves YOU!
  • Walk and live today as a child highly favored of your heavenly Father. You have HIs coat of many colors (His righteousness). You have His favor and blessing going before you and covering behind you.

Like Paul, you have the greatest and most powerful message in the entire world to share. Jesus is alive and He wants to set the captives free. He chooses you to be His messenger. Be bold. Be brave. Be about your Father’s business.

Blessings, Love y’all