And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked. Acts 14:8
For many years, a young woman was the object of the prayers of a particular Assembly. She was the daughter of a couple in fellowship there, and had been raised in an environment where the Bible was read in the home, where meetings were regularly attended, where Sunday School was an important element. And yet, this young woman grew up to be apparently immune to the Gospel message. As the years rolled by and the many Gospel series came and went and as prayers continued to be made on her behalf, she showed no concern. She was very comfortable around the Christians, dressing and acting like everyone else at the meetings. Her life was not much different from that of many Christians, with no involvement in outward sinful behaviour. But she was not saved. And the Assembly is still praying for her. In spiritual terms, she was like the man in today’s text.
Notice first that this man had never been able to walk, unlike people who have lost the use of their legs because of a disease or an accident. He never knew the enjoyment of moving about for himself for pleasure or for work. He was totally dependent on the help of others to accomplish anything or to go anywhere. To this poor man, being immobile probably felt normal. That’s how the sinners are around us, unaware of the liberty into which salvation would bring them. That is why we see people going on in their sins, ignoring or paying little attention to the Gospel. They just cannot understand what a difference it would make for them to be saved. That places a responsibility on you and me to live in the full enjoyment of our salvation. As we display the joy of being in the Lord, perhaps the poor lost souls around us will see that the Christians have a wonderful time of peace and hope and appreciation.
Notice too that the man in Lystra was sitting. Nothing else, he just sat there. He had no work to occupy his hands or purpose to which to turn his life. Day after day was the same, with no meaning and no hope of accomplishment. It had nothing to do with being lazy; he simply could not work. This is just like those around us who think they are doing good works to please God but are totally unable to please Him. The man in Lystra must have been terribly frustrated with his life, just like the people around us who can never achieve the satisfaction they seek. The joyful, fulfilled life of a happy Christian who is worshipping and serving the Lord is a loud voice that can speak to those people.
Keep praying, and living Christ before those who are not yet saved; there are no impossible cases with God! -Jim MacIntosh