Common Sense Commentary: The book of ACTS records the "ACTIONS" of the Apostles. It contains holy motivation for all Christians to also take ACTION. "Obedient Action" is essential to Christian Service. God's Word contains the word "ARISE" nearly 300 times and the word "GO" nearly 3000 times. "And...the Lord spake unto Philip, saying ARISE and GO toward the south ... the way ... down from Jerusalem unto Gaza which is desert." Philip obeyed, walked miles into the empty desert where he led an Ethiopian nobleman, of the queen's house, to Christ and baptized him in an oasis there. Does God know where we should go and what action we should take? He is the only one who does including us. "...The Spirit of truth ... WILL GUIDE YOU into all truth." Jesus said it in Jn.16:13.
After God paid the sin debt of all who would accept His reprieve and pardon, He told His disciples to "GO into all the world" and tell the people why Christ died on that cross. As they say in West Texas, the disciples "hit the ground running ... and put feet to their prayers" = HOLY ACTION!
"Action", not always "Holy", has had appeal to me since childhood. As I grew up in Nolan County, Texas around Sweetwater, my home town, I was constantly on the move walking, running, on my bike or roaming the hills for miles around on Old Blue, a burrow. In those days, unlike today, there was no real danger for a footloose, wandering boy .... except scorpions, tarantulas, rattlesnakes, cactus, mesquite thorns, the horns of a Brahma Bull or drowning in a cattle tank. So, my mother, knowing it was safe, let me go, all day long, wherever my curiosity took me. My only addiction in life was movement ... action ... which habit, old age kicked some years ago. Oh, I forgot Home Made Ice Cream ... which, I know, is an awful, fattening addiction. I have overdosed many times and survived. Please, somebody help me ... slip me a fix.
Action can be good or bad but I'm talking about the good kind. Good action has three levels (1) Premature (too early), (2) Timely (at just the right moment), and (3) Vacillating (too late, negligence, procrastination, tardy).
(1) Premature Action has always been a problem with me. In West Texas they call it "Jumpin the gun". In a foot race, I'd be halfway down the track when the coach was still saying, "...get set ...". My problem was, not listening close enough to the AUTHORITY'S WORD. I still had that problem in North Korea where it almost got me killed. Even in God's Ministry, I "jumped the gun" many times but His grace, mercy and forgiveness got me through ... in one old piece. From the moment you see a need or problem where your action is required, God's timing is essential. If He shows you a problem early, He will also show you what preliminaries or preparations you need to make before "final timely" action. Don't jump the gun and don't procrastinate. Listen closely to the "still small voice" (1K.19:12) of God's Holy Spirit in circumstances and in your heart for His Timely ... "On your mark, get set, GO".
(2) Timely Action is simply God's timing and we can't know that unless we are close to Him, listening. Sometimes immediate action is required in emergencies, danger, or crisis. Sometimes God alerts us ahead of time so we can immediately take preparatory action for the "timely" moment or hour of the MAIN ACTION. King David summed it up in his prayer, "My times are in thy hand". Psm.31:15. Let us be timely and punctual with God and with people.
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(3) Vacillating Action is "action"... too late; vacillation, in spite of God's warning or alert to a need in His "still small voice" to your soul. It is procrastination, negligence, or disinterest in God's guiding hand caused by fear, selfishness or laziness. If God shows a need for action regarding a problem, He may simply want us to pray about it, especially if it is none of our business or someone else's responsibility. There may be something He wants us to do behind the scenes or notify the proper person. All of those things may be your proper action. Kindness and forgiveness are quiet actions. But be careful not to pass on to someone else things God wants you to DO. Don't let detailed planning or perfectionism trap you in "Paralysis Analysis". If you don't know what to do, ask God. He has all the answers.
"And he (Saul/Paul) ... said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to DO? And the Lord said unto him, ARISE, and GO into (Damascus), and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Acts 9:6.
"And the Lord said unto (Ananias in Damascus), ARISE and GO into (Straight Street) and enquire in the house of Judas for one called (Saul/Paul) of Tarsus; for, behold, he prayeth." Acts 9:11.
You see, God knows who needs to Arise and Go to be saved and taught and who needs to "Arise and Go" to show that person how to be saved and taught what they need to do... as He did in this case.
Pass it on. RB
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