Have you ever wondered what is the purpose of life?
There is a very important lesson you can learn from this man we read about today who seemed to have little to live for. "Every day he was carried to the gate to beg for money from the people who were going into the temple" in Jerusalem. (verse 2.)
On days when the people were generous in their giving to this lame beggar, I'm sure he felt good as his friends came to carry him home - but he would not have been one bit better from his lameness!
One day as Peter and John went to the Temple, the lame man "asked them for money … Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have…’” (verses 1-6.)
Peter had nothing to give him that would just make him feel better, but he could offer him something this man didn’t even dare to think was possible!
I wonder what you are looking for in life. There are many things in this life that can make you feel good, and -give you happy feelings. But you should ask yourself do these make you a better person - a person who is pleasing and acceptable to God? Some of them certainly will not! Things such as drink and drugs (Proverbs 23:29-35.), or even religious exercises and sacraments (Colossians 2:8,18,20-23.), or riches (1stTimothy 6:10.), or sinful pleasures (Hebrews 11:25. James 5:1-5.).
But Peter had something better to offer. He said to the lame man, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” (verse 6.)
Would the lame beggar just consider this order to be ridiculous and impossible; after all he had been lame all his life? (verse 2.)
Today, because, people have been sinful all their lives many of them do not think any great change in themselves is possible. What about you? Do you want to be changed from your sinful way of life that is unacceptable to God? You can be! In the Name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12.), the Saviour of the world (1stJohn 4:14.), who came to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29.). He is well able to take away your sin and sinfulness. (Acts 3:26.)
The lame man believed Jesus’ power could change his life, and as he tried to get up trusting in Jesus’ name, he discovered “his feet and ankles became strong.” Then he went with Jesus’ disciples “walking and jumping and praising God.” (verses 8-9.) Now his life was worth living, and people could see the wonderful change in his life as he lived to praise God.
If your life has not been changed from your sinfulness yet, then you are not able to live to please God today! Trust Jesus in Heaven to forgive and change you, and you will find life worth living. (Acts 26:18. Romans 6:16-23.)
Read of the lame man's faith in the words of Jesus that made his life worth living in Acts chapter 3, verses 1-10.
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