True Love: Does True Love Produce Miracles?
True love does miracles beyond our imagination. Paul and Silas could never have imagined how things would unfold after being beaten, jailed, and chained in the inner prison (Acts 16:16–39).
A mob attacked the apostles with rods. It could have been their last moments on earth. But God had other plans.
Despite their condition, they sang praises to God. Other prisoners heard them worshipping. Then suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, causing the doors to open and the chains to loosen. Coincidence? No. God was initiating the next step in His plan.
The jailer, thinking Paul and Silas had escaped, was about to kill himself. Paul called out, and his life was saved. God spared the jailer from losing his life; and thereby his soul. That moment was deeply transformative for him. He desired, with all his heart, to receive salvation. Was it the song lyrics? Did Paul preach to him again? No, nothing evangelical or pastoral had happened yet. God simply had mercy on the jailer. He wanted to be preached to.
The jailer took them home and washed their wounds. His household heard the gospel, believed, and were baptized. How wonderful! How marvelous!
5 Things We Learn from the Apostles’ Love for God
They were led by God through visions and the Holy Spirit’s guidance (Acts 16:6–10).
They never complained about their struggles, instead, they remained joyful.
They kept worshipping God despite trials and tribulations, expecting help from God alone.
They stayed focused on their calling as apostles, ready to preach and serve whenever the opportunity arose.
They encouraged others before leaving town (Acts 16:40) - a testament to the Holy Spirit’s continual influence and their constant surrender to God, fueling their hope for the next leg of their journey as ministers of Christ.
Dear saint, how are we responding to God’s calling in our lives? Is our love for Jesus genuine? Examine your mind and heart in Him daily.
Maranatha. Praise God. Amen.
