Friday, July 8 – Acts 8:24

But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

The tasks of grocery shopping, cleaning, or calling a repairman are simple to the average adult but they may be completely overwhelming to a young adult living on their own for the first time. Growing up, children often ask their parents to do the hard things in life for them. These tasks seem so difficult to them that they struggle to even try. As they get older, children need to learn these skills for themselves to thrive as adults.

When Simon responded to Peter’s rebuke, he was concerned more about the hurt that would come to him instead of the heart issue Peter pointed out inside of him. Simon asked for the hard work of repentance to be done for him. It is easy for us to have this same mindset. We want to be right with God, but we don’t want to admit our sins and repent. It will always be easier to make excuses, take the easy way out, and stay in the shallow end of our faith, but God has made you for more! He is not waiting with a spirit of condemnation but forgiveness. First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Simon missed out because He saw God’s power in His life as something to achieve instead of a gift freely given for God’s glory. When we hold onto sinful habits or expect others to do the hard steps of faith for us, we are the ones who miss out. Every step toward our Savior will always be worth it, even when it hurts.

• Why is it hard to admit to our sin?
• What sin habits do you struggle with? How is God calling you to respond to Him today?
• Pray and ask God to show you the areas in your life you struggle to repent.