Title
Remember Your Nature
Scripture
“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you
(Acts 14:15)
Devotional
Here, the apostle Paul is speaking to a bunch of idol worshippers, and he says that he and Barnabas have the same nature as them. What is that nature? Quite simply, it is the nature of Adam, and that is a sin nature. These heathen men began to pay homage to Paul and Barnabas. Paul in essence said to them, “We are just like you, except, we have Christ.” Paul’s piety was genuine. He realized that all glory must go to God, and that the only difference between him and other men was the difference that Christ had made. He did not allow his position and giftedness to go to his head. Therefore, if God is using you, make sure to give God the credit. When men begin to praise you for your successes, remember the source of those successes. The only difference between you and the worst of sinners is Christ. Without Him, you are no different. Therefore, always give Him the glory.
Thought For The Night
“Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
Evening Text
Acts 14:15: “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you.”
Looking for Answers
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Is the nature of God available to man? Consider 2 Peter 1:4
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Is the nature of man sinful?
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Whose nature dominates you?
Evening Study Guide
Defining: “Nature”: The essence of who we are, that which makes up our character, attitude, and demeanor. In the larger sense: creation as a whole.
Referencing: “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit,” James 5:17.
Applying: “You should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God…” Philippians 2:4-6 NIV.