SAVED BUT CAPTIVE. By Pastor Fernando

Scripture:
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” 20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.” 24 “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”
Acts 8:18-24

Observation:
Simon the magician believed in the message of the Gospel, but still had areas in his heart where the Holy Spirit had to work and change. He was a new believer, but he was power hungry and selfish. Peter gives a diagnosis of his heart’s condition: not right, wicked, full of evil thoughts, full of bitter jealousy, and captive of sin. Simon was saved but captive.
The Bible is clear about the possibility about a person being saved, but captive of sin. Peter’s heart reveals the key to become saved and stay saved--repentance. Simon’s plea to Peter indicates that he is aware of his shortfalls. Simon is not defensive, but his plea leaves much for us to think about. The Bible doesn’t say that Simon repented, only that he asked for prayer. It seems that Simon is already considering other options but repentance. His heart accepted the truth of the Gospel, but he is so controlled by his sinful nature that he doesn’t show determination to walk through the path of repentance in the journey of his salvation.

Application:
Salvation is a journey. I cannot think that once a person raises their hand and repeats the prayer of salvation, our job is finished. Actually, that’s where our job starts! The church should be a place where people take the initial step of salvation, but also where people continue living daily the process of sanctification and take further steps of obedience. We need to help people deal with their compulsions and sinful habits. We need to create a safe environment where people have no excuses to walk in daily repentance.
There are many people like Simon in our church. They are sincere in their initial steps of salvation, but they are being held captives by sinful habits, selfishness, and polluted mindset. We must do everything we can on our side to build solid disciples, to help people to make important decisions, and to assist them as they work their salvation in humility, honesty, and holiness.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you so much for the many hands that are raised every Sunday in our church. This is a sign that your Holy Spirit moves in our services and brings conviction into people’s lives. Please help us to be good stewards of New Believers. Use our church and our leaders to serve people in such a way that they can be saved and stay saved. Use our church to set the captives free. Anoint us so when Simon-like people come to us, we can encourage them to walk in the journey of salvation to us. We don’t want to loose anyone that you give us Lord. Help us to create a church where humility, honesty, and holiness are practiced as we make disciples and build solid lives. We depend on you to help us be effective saving people from the first step to the last. Amen!