not our glory, but christ’s alone

Acts 3:11-16, Luke 23:18-25, Romans 3:10

In the beginning of chapter 3, Peter and John raise a lame man to walk through the power of the Holy Spirit. People saw this act and were astounded. In the midst of the people's reaction Peter saw that he needed to address the situation to clear up what the crowd had just witnessed. 

He begins to point out that it was not him or John who made this act possible and gives glory to Christ instead. 

Starting in verse 13 he tells of how God fulfilled his covenant promise to the fathers of the faith through Jesus Christ. They denied Jesus, they chose to free Barabbas who was a murderer over Jesus. They rejected the very fulfillment of God’s promises and the one who gave Peter and John the power for the miracle they had seen right before their eyes and put him on the cross. 

Peter finishes by making it very clear that it is through faith in Christ's name that the lame man was made to walk. Only in Christ is something of this magnitude possible. 

Often we can rely on our own strength for ministry or take credit inwardly or outwardly for the fruits of our ministry, but this cannot be our response. We must understand that we are broken, capable of no good. As Romans 3:10 says “as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one.” We must rely on the power of Christ and give all the glory to him for what he has done and is doing. 

Where are you relying on your own strength? 

Where do you need to repent of taking credit in your life and instead give all the glory to Christ?