To the Ends of the Earth: A New Year’s Purpose

“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -- Acts 1:7-8

As a new year begins it is normal for us to look back on our lives, to consider where we have been and who we have been, and to ponder changes that we need to make in our lives to make this new year a better year.  Thus, new years beget new beginnings as we seek positive purpose and direction for our lives.  But what choices should be made?  What direction should we head in?  What positive changes should we seek in this new year, especially in our spiritual lives?  Here in the opening chapter of the Book of Acts, Jesus answers these questions and gives direction and purpose for the trajectory of our lives. 

As He meets with His disciples on the Mount of Olives at the moment of ascension, He amplifies the message of the Great Commission of the church that was given in Matthew 28:18-20:  “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded.”  

The passage in Matthew defines what Jesus means when He commands us here in Acts to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  To be His witness is to live lives of faith that impact those around us.  To be His witness means we live out the gospel in our daily lives and that we intentionally demonstrate to others through our lives what it means to be a Christian in this world today, to show them how to follow Christ and His commands in this place and at this time.  To be His witnesses means we disciple or mentor others in the faith by being an active example to them of what Christ intended for His people and His church.

Words alone are not enough to change lives or transform lives.  We cannot simply tell others to do as we say and not as we do.  Words must be supported by active living in faith as demonstrated through our lives.  Who would follow the weight loss advice of a doctor who was overweight himself?  In order to disciple others and mentor them in the faith, the message of the gospel must be demonstrated in our lives. 

But how?  Jesus tells us here in this passage:  “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”  The only way to live a Christian life is through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Self-achieved piety fails when will-power weakens.  The only lasting piety is Holy Spirit empowered.  Change only comes through the power of the Spirit in our lives.  We can only obey Christ’s commands and follow His direction in this world when we submit to the Spirit’s sanctifying grace in our lives and allow Him to lead us and guide us and mold us into our Savior’s image.

It is only after we receive the Holy Spirit and allow His power to manifest through us that we will be able to witness to others.  As shown in this passage, it is a preliminary step to the fulfillment of the Great Commission:  First, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.  Then, you will be My witnesses...

So as this new year begins, recognize that change only comes through the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.  To become a better person, to become the person Christ has called you to be, and to fulfill His call to be His witnesses by living out your faith in tangible ways, then we first have to focus on the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Take this as your first resolution for this new year:  Live fully in the presence of the Spirit.  Seek Him in your daily life, and let Him work through you to accomplish Christ’s will for your life.  Live the life Christ has called you to live, and let His light, empowered through the Spirit, shine forth as you seek to disciple and mentor others in this new year.