Unsaved family

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."      

                                                                                Acts 16:31   NKJV  

As you know, this statement by Paul, is taken from the account of Paul and Silas being rescued from prison and the jailor threatening to end his life because of this. One has to be really careful here. The text reads that if someone believes in Jesus, their household will be saved too. Many have received this as the answer to their unsaved family. However, it isn't what the verse is saying and those who have believed this, need to check it again.

Firstly, believing is not enough. Even the devil believes that Jesus is Lord. The difference is though, he doesn't believe in Him and refuses to accept Him because, he believes he is better. Therefore, it is easy to believe in someone or something but, in this case, people need to believe and accept Jesus as Lord. This is what the verse is explaining.

Also, a true believer cannot accept that their family is saved just because they are. Each individual needs to accept Jesus as Lord. It is the only way.

The Amplified Study Bible comments on this verse and mentions the word faith. it lays out the Acrostic meaning for faith as follows:

Forsaking

All

I

Take

Him.                  FORSAKING ALL, I TAKE HIM

This is what faith is all about. We accept Jesus by faith, that He is our Lord. We haven't seen Him but, believe He is there. We walk by faith not by sight  (2 Corinthians 5:7). Our family need to believe it too, and it is by our witness that this is possible. They probably don't read the bible, they view how we live and react and this can help them know if what they see, is what they want. Yes, we can pray for them and, should do but it is what they witness that speaks volumes to them.

Whether it is your children, parents, siblings or any other family member, allow them to see Jesus through your daily living and keep praying for them. The rest will follow.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

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