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The Uniqueness of a Christian

     The earth shook with violent force. The foundation of the prison was shaken to the point that the doors were opened, and the prisoner’s restraints were loosened. The prison guard was aroused out of sleep. When he saw the prison doors opened his heart sank. Certainly, the prisoners were long gone by now. There was no hope of retrieving them. Failure to perform his duties resulted in a slow, painful death. A death he did not want.

With a lump in his throat, he drew his sword. Never again would he see his beloved family. Instead, this prison would be the last thing his eyes would ever behold. As he was about to lunge onto the sword, he heard a voice crying out, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” (Acts 16:28).  He was astonished to see Paul and the other prisoners still inside. He turned to Paul and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

There are several great takeaways we receive from this incident. One that stands out is the difference we observe in Christian behavior. A normal person under these conditions would have remained quiet while the guard took his own life. Then, he would have quickly disappeared into the night. This, however, is not the thinking of a Christian.

Christians have been taught by Christ to think of others ahead of their own needs. Jesus stated, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28).

The greatest testament of servanthood taught by Christ was on the cross of Calvary. Paul wrote concerning His death, “And being found in the appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8). Although Jesus was equal with God, He humbled Himself and became one of us. He did this so that we could obtain salvation for our souls. No one else put others ahead of his own needs quite like Jesus did.

When we look back to the example of Paul with the jailor, we see a beloved Christian who cared more about this man’s soul than he did about his own freedom. This is the uniqueness of a Christian. A Christian understands the value of one soul. He knows the astronomical value of the blood of Jesus that was shed to redeem that soul from eternal damnation. Thus, the actions he takes are always in the interest of souls above his own needs.

Today, we see the value God has placed on each soul. When we place the value of a soul above our own interest, then the world will see the uniqueness of a Christian.

God Bless each of you,

Eric Hicks

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