Acts 17:24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.”

We aren’t used to thinking of multiple gods by their names, but that is how things were in the 1^st Century. If Paul had simply used God’s covenant name of Yahweh, he would probably have been dismissed, besides the fact that as a devout Jew he wouldn’t have used that name freely in any case. He very wisely (and certainly under the inspiration of Holy Spirit) chose to speak of Him as Creator, rather than assigning Him any sort of name, even that of Jesus. This example is further evidence of what came up on the 8^th about methods of evangelism. This was the same message, but a very different presentation from what Paul gave in synagogues. We need to have the flexibility Paul did to tailor our presentation to our audience, without doing damage to the content of the Gospel. At the same time, it is worth noting that this magnificent message produced sparse results. Verse 34 mentions that “A few men became followers of Paul and believed.” Not every field where we “sow the seed” is plowed, fertilized, and watered! (Luke 8:4-15) The Athenians were secure in their intellectualism, and that dulled their ears to the Gospel. We see that all around us today, particularly in “institutions of higher learning.” Pride is a powerful barrier to salvation! We are responsible to be faithful to speak and to be wise in tailoring our message, but the response is the responsibility of each person who hears.

This is of course extremely pertinent to me, ministering in Japan. Statistically, Japan has the lowest response rate to the Gospel of any nation or people-group on the planet. Even the word we use to mean God, Kami, is associated with the countless gods of Shinto, which is why the “Creator Translation” of the Bible came out a few years ago to try to get past that. However, Sozo Nushi is twice the number of syllables as Kami, and seems cumbersome and awkward when used often. I do make reference to “the Creator of heaven and earth” in talking to people, just as Paul does here, but particularly in songs, Kami is by far the simpler choice. I’ve got to be sensitive and obedient to Holy Spirit at all times, if my words are to produce the results that God intends.

Father, once again I’m faced with my own lack of wisdom and ability. Thank You for using me in spite of that. I pray that I would be fully available to You at all times, as Paul was, so that Your will may be done in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!