August 19: God-fearers

After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it." So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak: "You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. (Acts 13:15-16)

I left more of the text than I really needed to – so that there is some context for where my attention is drawn. Five words stand out to me… “and others who fear God.”

Who are these others?

I have heard some scholar’s reports about the “god-fearers” and their place in the synagogue. They are the people who were drawn to the worship of God of the Jews but never came fully into the community… fearers of God, with a place in the synagogue – but not Jews. They stopped short of that identity transforming commitment.

Who are these others? More importantly… are we these others?

The question of discipleship asks this very question – are we those who fear God… who are drawn to God… who recognize that there is truth and life here… and yet we find ourselves unable to make the full commitment. We find ourselves unable to “cast aside our nets” and follow Christ.

The god-fearers in this text are to the Jews, and the followers of the way (early Christians) the direct equivalent of the crowds that followed Jesus around listening and watching… but never committing to discipleship. They are there… and that is something – and something good. But it is only a first step, and not meant to be the destination of our journey to, and with, God.

Today? Today the god-fearers are the cultural Christians… the god-fearers are those who identify as Christian but don’t really make that a priority in their life. They may or may not attend church, and may or may not intentionally practice the way of Christ in their life, and may or may not profess that a relationship with God is of primary importance in their life… but however they (we?) engage a life of faith they are holding something back. They aren’t “all in”!

Fearing – but not committing.
Drawn – but not taking on the name of Christ.
A part of the community – but without ties, and it isn’t their primary hearth and home.

God-fearers are those who hedge their bets. There is truth here – and so we attach ourselves in a periphery way to it, but we don’t want to make any kind of full leap into a way that meddles too much with our lives.

Are you fully a part of the discipleship community… or living the life of a god-fearer?

What is your primary community… and does it witness to the love of Christ in life giving ways?

Are you willing and open to God’s Spirit meddling in your life?

Transforming God,
It is so easy to fall into a routine faith and worship. Stir us up God to trust our relationship with you enough to dive into a life of faith – fully committing ourselves to service and growth in the name of your son Jesus Christ.
Amen.