we don’t have to be afraid. We can go WHOLE-HEARTEDLY ahead!
We are continuing that idea as we look at a woman named Lydia who needed to take another step on her path – her faith journey.
The passage we’ll focus on is Acts 16:11-40. Here’s some quick context:
Paul, Timothy, Silas and Luke have just arrived in Philippi, a Roman colony and military station.
In places where there wasn’t a synagogue, Jews would frequent the riverbanks.
They would form “oratories” – which were commonly circular and without a roof and it was there they would pray.
So that’s where Paul and his companions went on the Sabbath, and they spoke to the women who had gathered there.
The fact that there were only women shows the significant absence of a Jewish population.
It’s here we learn about Lydia.
We know a few key things about Lydia. First, she was from the city of Thyatira (which you might recognize as one of the 7 churches addressed in the book of Revelation), and it was famous for its dyeing works, especially for purple or crimson. Second, Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth and third, she was a worshipper of God.
In Acts 16: 14, after Lydia had been listening to Paul and his companions speak, we see something incredible happen but if you blink you might miss it.
“The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”
Now wait, wasn’t she already a worshipper of God? Yes! Here’s how one commentator explained it:
“She had left the heathenish idolatry and owned the one and only and true God but as yet was unacquainted with the Gospel…” Matthew Poole
Lydia had turned to God, but she still needed to take another step – there was still more she needed to know and do in her faith journey.
TAKE AWAY #1 – Pray the Lord would help you take the next step in your spiritual life.
You see, it was THE LORD who opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. Paul’s job was to preach; the LORD’s job is to open hearts.
What does it mean that the Lord “opened her heart”?
“Her understanding was enlightened, her heart changed, she now loved what she before hated, and hated what she before loved.” Matthew Poole
Some would say that it means that the Lord opened her understanding and her will and that it corresponds to the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk. 24:45) and Lydia responded (or gave heed to). How did she respond? By getting baptized.
Apparently, she was baptized without delay and likely right there in the river where the Jews went to pray (it was usual to be baptized immediately on believing) – cf Acts 2:41, 8:31).
Not only that, she wasn’t the only one getting baptized, it was her whole household! There is no specific mention of a husband or children – it could be that her household or “family” meant female slaves and freed women she employed.
What happens after her baptism?
Lydia invites Paul and his companions to stay with her at her home. Here we see a few things:
Her large-hearted hospitality implies a certain measure of wealth, as does her occupation, which required considerable capital.
She appealed to the fact that they had recognized her faith by admitting her to baptism. If she was fit for that, was she unfit to host them in her home?
She also probably wanted further instruction in the doctrines of religion.
“Religion does not call us from our business in the world, but directs us in it.” Matthew Poole.
TAKE AWAY #2 – INVITE GODLY TEACHING INTO YOUR HOME
Even though she had just taken the next step in her faith, she didn’t want it to stop there. She wanted more. Oh, to be like Lydia in our spiritual lives – that we may always want more.
Paul and his companions agreed to stay at her home.
Remember from The Path We’re On, when you ask God to broaden your understanding, He will. Likewise in the book of James, when you ask God for wisdom and believe that He will give it to you, He does! Couldn’t we also then say that when you ask God to bring you Godly teaching and instruction, He will?
In the text, we take a little break from Lydia and have another situation that takes place before we see her again.
It gets serious though when Paul and Silas are stripped, beaten and thrown into prison.
You might think, oh no, that’s terrible, especially after such a wonderful time seeing growth in the life of Lydia and her household. However, Paul and Silas don’t see it that way. They are praying and singing in the middle of the night in prison.
There’s a violent earthquake that releases everyone’s chains. (AMEN!)
Skip down to v. 29 and the jailer wants to know what he must do to be saved.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved – you and your household.”
They spoke the word of the Lord to him and all others in his house…”
The jailer took them and washed their wounds (maybe at the river?); then immediately he and all his household were baptized (maybe at the river?)
Then they get released and go back to Lydia’s house where they MET WITH THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND ENCOURAGED THEM…”
The ones who had just suffered for their faith came and encouraged Lydia and those who met at her house? We’ll come back to that.
Lydia’s house appears to have been the meeting place (the church).
Who were the brothers and sisters? Probably some of the ones who were baptized by Paul. They are also the ones who later supported Paul by sending money, twice, when he was in Thessalonica and when he was in prison in Rome.
How do you think Paul and Silas encouraged them? Here are what some commentators say:
“They exhorted them and encouraged them to persevere, notwithstanding the opposition and persecution which they might meet with.” (Barnes)
“…by telling them what God had done both FOR them and BY them in prison.”
“…exhorted them to prepare for suffering, and to submit unto God in it, and to make a holy use of it.” Matthew Poole.
TAKE AWAY #3
As you keep taking those steps God wants you to take, it may lead you to suffering – but BE ENCOURAGED, WATCHING TO SEE HOW GOD WILL USE IT.
Remember we can trust God and forge whole-heartedly ahead – taking those steps of faith that He wants us to take. Can I encourage you to spend time in prayer this week, asking God to make known or make clear to you, the next steps He wants you to take?
Let us go be radiant as we take those next steps of faith.
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Go Be Radiant 