Lifelong Learning

Simon had a total change of lifestyle when he heard about Jesus and believed, however he still had a lot to learn.

Acts 8.9-25

Reference: v. 13  Simon himself believed and was baptized.  And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. (NIV Bible)

Explore: As a child, it took me a long time to learn to ride a bike without my training-wheels.  But once I got the hang of it, my friend and I would ride everywhere!
Just recently I have moved to a flatter part of Melbourne and so I’ve got the bike out again to exercise and ride to the local store.  It took me a little while to get the hang of it again – although I didn’t need my Dad to hold on to the back of my bike for 2 months, like when I was 6!!  It took me a little while to feel confident and comfortable up on the bike again.  Now, the more I ride, the better and faster I am.
My riding experience and this passage in Acts 8 reminds me that learning is a life-long journey.  It took me a while to learn to ride my bike but the more I do it, the better I am.  Simon had a total change of lifestyle when he heard about Jesus and believed, however he still had a lot to learn.  Even though he followed Philip around everywhere, he still had a lot to learn about being a follower of Christ – as we discover when he offers to pay for the Holy Spirit.

Application: Although we may see the folly in Simon’s mistake, we are similar in the way we learn about Jesus and how to be Christ-followers.  We will make mistakes, we will follow our own personal interests, we will even rely on the knowledge of our past rather than cling to the hope and grace we find in God.   But that is the unfathomable grace that God offers.  We will make mistakes but we can always repent, and God will always be there for us.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the mistakes I make.  Often I know I’m doing the wrong thing and I still put myself before You.  Thank you for loving me and constantly offering Your grace to me.  Amen.

Acts