Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down… I. CONVERSION IS HEART WORK. 1. The subject. "The heart" is the seat of spiritual feeling, conviction, and desire (Acts 2:27). It is the real test of character, of what a man is in God's estimation (Proverbs 23:7). It is that part of us in which are bred all the moral and immoral qualities which make us good or bad in the sight of God (Proverbs 4:33). It has the power to exercise faith (Romans 16:10). 2. The Agent — "The Lord." It was the fulfilment of the promise (Ezekiel 36:25-27). God is the chief, and to a great extent the sole, active Agent in this work. Along with this there is a converse truth (Psalm 27:8). The work of conversion is completed by God working, and man working; but neither working apart from the other effectually. 3. The instrumental means: whilst Paul spake the Word, the Lord opened Lydia's heart. II. THE IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT RESULTS OF CONVERSION. 1. There was a beautiful humility which manifested itself in a desire to submit her conversion to the test of the judgment of others. "If ye have judged me to be faithful." Over-confidence in a young convert is neither pleasing nor hopeful (1 Corinthians 10:12). 2. She exhibited her gratitude to God in kindness to His servants. "Come into my house and abide there." 3. She made a public profession of her faith. "She was baptized and her household." The family of a believer should be a Christian household. Personal decision is a great matter, but the head must be alone. (A. B. Gardiner.) Parallel Verses KJV: And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. |
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