Simon says ...

S - Acts 8:9,13,18-24 (NLT): "A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, claiming to be someone great.  … Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the great miracles and signs Philip performed.  … When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given when the apostles placed their hands upon people's heads, he offered money to buy this power. "Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!" But Peter replied, "May your money perish with you for thinking God's gift can be bought!  You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right before God.  Turn from your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitterness and held captive by sin." "Pray to the Lord for me," Simon exclaimed, "that these terrible things won't happen to me!" "

O - The sorcerer's life is not followed any further than this glimpse in Acts 8.  Scripture records that he both believed and was baptized and yet in his exchange with Peter we learn that he is not right before God and is full of bitterness and held captive by sin.  How can someone believe and be baptized and still be in this condition?  Some would say he wasn't really "saved" … and yet verse 13 specifically identifies him as having engaged the elements of all those who belong to the Lord. How should we understand this insight into the life of this first century inhabitant?  While the life, death and resurrection of Jesus provide a full and completed work for the human race, the work in us is often in stages over time.  There is not one person in the Scriptures where growth and transformation is not an ongoing part of their experience on earth in Jesus. 

A - The real issue is not me assessing the sorcerer or any other person. It is allowing the Lord, his Spirit and word to be assessing me and to have complete access to my entire life.  Jesus is always very intent on me getting the 2X4 out of my own eye before I attempt any activity with others and the sawdust they are working through. 

P - Lord who forgives 70 X 7,

Thank you for this day and for the hope and help it brings because you are the creator of it and of me.  Thank you for making a way for growth, hope, transformation and change as we come near and stay near.  Lord, I really do hope that Simon the sorcerer found his way to stay as near to you as he did to Philip.  I would like to meet him in heaven and hear his story.  Lord, I want to stay near, make you glad and be a reason someone else would believe.  Thank you for loving both Simon the apostle and Simon the Sorcerer.
All my love,
Steve