February 17, 2023

Taylor Christensen
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
Acts 2:38-41
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:4-7

I love the picture Acts 2 paints as Peter not only describes the significance of the Gospel, but how the truth he shares is immediately followed by an amazing move of God through the life transformation of thousands. Families upon families forever changed, this Gospel message impacting generations to come.

While revival may seem like a far-reaching endeavor, the reality as we see right here in these passages shows that such a mighty move of God actually starts small. It starts with the posture of our hearts. The posture of humility and confession, crying out to God and acknowledging our need for a Savior. Left on our own, we’re unrighteous, helpless, and incapable of living apart from sin.

Despite having made that declaration years ago when I was little, I pray that I still approach the Gospel with the same awe and child-like dependence I had when I was little. Lord, may You move in our hearts and remind us of Your love and Gospel message. May You do for us now what You did in the hearts of the early church back then. Use us, Lord. We know it starts with You.