The Spirituality of Justus
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin Overfield
Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000
The Spirituality of Justus
"And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named
Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue."
(Acts 18:7)
Here we see a man, named Justus, who lives up to his name, which means
"just" or "upright". Justus was a spiritual man.
We are given here two clauses that indicate the spirituality of Justus:
"one that worshipped God" and "whose house joined hard to the synagogue".
The fact that he worshipped God is an indication of personal spirituality.
The reference made to his "house" indicates that his personal spirituality
went beyond the confines of his own private devotional life. His
spirituality affected his whole household of which he was the leader.
Furthermore, his spirituality affected both his and his household's
relationship to the church -- synagogue or congregation.
Let us observe Justus' spirituality in reverse. We will begin with the
most public aspect of it and trace it back to the very core -- his heart.
I. THE HOUSE OF GOD
It is rather easy to infer from the context of this verse (Acts 18:1-8)
that Justus had been in attendance at the synagogue when Paul boldly
proclaimed that Jesus is Christ. He was a man who attended the public
means of grace. This is always a part of the life of a spiritual person.
If at all possible you will find them in the house of God.
On the other hand, just because someone is in the house of God does
not prove that he is spiritual. Placing trash in a vase does not prove that
it
is a flower! Attending the public means of grace will not necessarily make
a person spiritual, though it would certainly be helpful if one wants to be
spiritual. But, if one is spiritual, he will want to be in God's house.
Interesting it is that so many say that they can worship God at home,
who
have no desire to be in God's house, where worship of God is supposed to
be abundant. I question whether such truly worship God like Justus did.
"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD."
(Psalm 122:1)
II. THE HOME OF JUSTUS
This aspect of his spirituality is seen by the words "whose house joined
hard to the synagogue". The words "joined hard" mean "to border on, be
contiguous to" (Strong's). While someone may say, "But he just happened to
live next to the synagogue", I would remind you that the Scripture also says
that he worshipped God.
This would have a lot to do with the decisions of his life that affected
his
household. Certainly, since he loved to "go to church", he would want to
live
close to a good one. People who move many miles away for a good job
without giving proper consideration to whether there is a good church in the
vicinity are doing a great disservice to both their own souls and the souls
of their families.
It is also reasonable to assume that Justus had family prayer and
religious training in his home. Deuteronomy 6:7, which was one of the major
teachings under Moses, who was preached in the synagogues every Sabbath
(Acts 15:21), says, "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,
and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou
walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
Justus was a spiritual man in his day-to-day relationships around the
house. If your religion does not work in your home, in the relationships
that you have with your closest family members, I would advise you to get
the kind that Justus had. Religion that doesn't work is in great need of
repair or replacement!
III. THE HEART OF JUSTUS
Finally, notice that God's Word says that Justus was "one that
worshipped God" in a way that seems to indicate that this was the habit
of his life. He worshipped God before Paul ever showed up at church.
He worshipped God no matter what came or went. He worshipped
God from the very depths of his heart. He loved God!
Without such a heart for God, all a person may attempt outwardly at
spirituality is empty, heartless, and useless. True spirituality like
Justus
had must come out of the abundance of a heart that is right with God!
Oh, may the reader and I be sure that we have a healthy relationship
with God. May we do whatever it takes to maintain it and see it grow with
each passing day, until at last we may hear His approving words, "Well
done thou good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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