Have you ever been touched by God’s grace, His undeserved love? If you have, how did that change your life? How did that change how you viewed God, who brings light into our darkness? My mother had an expression, “You get a lot further with honey than vinegar.” Romans 2:4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? [1]
Our God is kind, tolerant, and patient. He is long-suffering. This kind of God helps people repent as they experience His kindness. This is the type of kindness I need in my life. The Lord is patient, giving each person more time than they deserve to repent and turn towards Him. The Lord is the Good Shepherd who never tires of going after lost sheep. He is the Gardner that continually weeds around us and waters us to help us grow. Other gardeners would have given up on us, but not God.
The Jailer Responded to Kindness
In our story, God reached the jailer through kindness. Acts 16:27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”[2]
In the days of Rome, if prisoners escaped, the jailer would be executed. This gives us insight into why he was going to kill himself. Instead, all the prisoners stayed in the prison. All! Paul and Silas had been praising God, which had a fantastic influence on the other prisoners. The prisoners experienced God’s kindness as well as the jailer. The jailer was so moved he became a believer in Jesus and his entire household. God’s kindness descended into the prison and the jailer’s home like liquid love from heaven.
God Wants All to be Saved
God’s kindness led the jailer to repentance. That was God’s goal! The Lord wanted the jailer and his entire family to be saved and become part of the family of God. Someday, you will meet them in person. Praise the Lord for His kindness, who brings light into our dark world. To learn about being touched by God’s grace, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/light-in-prison
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.