Lydia a Seller of Purple
Lydia was a woman from Thyatira and a worshiper of the LORD God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to the messages of Jesus Christ as given by Paul. Lydia is portrayed as a woman of faithfulness and prayer with the conviction and strength to live her baptism in honesty and courage. She is a role model we all could be proud to follow.
Acts 16:14:12-15, 40
Lydia lived in Thyatira, which is the chief city of Macedonia. a colony of Macedonia Greeks, situated between Sardis and Pergamos on the river Lycus; its inhabitants gained their living by traffic and the art of dyeing in purple. This is in today’s Turkey. Lydia was a seller of purple.
Thyatira is addressed by Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. It is one of the seven churches in Asia in the book of Revelations. (Revelation 1:11). Jesus knows their words, charity, service, faith, their patience, and their works. Jesus knew that their last to be more than the first. There were a few things Jesus held against them; because they allowed the woman Jezebel, which called herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce His servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Jezebel was given a chance to repent of her fornication, and she would not repent. Jesus will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And Jesus will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. Thyatira is told to hold fast until He returns. Those who overcome and keep the works of the Lord unto the end, to them the power over the nation will be given. They shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And He will give Thyatira the morning star. (Revelation 2:19-29).
Lydia probably a widow, and must have been a woman of some position, for she was able to entertain the Paul and his company. We know she was faithful to the new Christian faith because she was worshipping on the Sabbath outside the city of Philippi, which is the chief city of Macedonia by a riverside. There was not a synagogue in Philippi so Paul and Silas went outside the city in search of a place of prayer. That is where they found the women which included Lydia.
Lydia also responded to the teaching of Jesus given by Paul and showed courage and strength by publicly coming forward to be baptized. She was not spiritually helpless embraced in her heart the grace of the LORD God in Christ. Not only did Lydia receive baptism she had her whole household baptized. This demonstrates devotion and courage. Lydia then put her faith in action by offering Christian hospitality to Paul. When Paul and Silas came out of prison they entered into the house of Lydia on his second missionary journey. (Acts 16:40).
Lydia showed the virtue of hard work, faithfulness, and courage showing a devotion to Christ. The conversion of Lydia can remind all of us of the challenge of being a Christian today. Christianity in its earliest days was new and it was hard for the converts to break away from the beliefs of their families. Because of these strong Christians Christianity was able to spread throughout the Roman world.
Equally today it is so hard to be faithful to our Christian roots when the world is worshiping other idols. Like Lydia we must stay strong in our faith and courageous to our family and embrace in our heart the grace of the LORD God through the blood of Jesus Christ. We must remain fruitful in our love of Him. You must understand that fruitfulness does not depend on your power or strength. Fruitfulness depends on your trusting in the power and strength of the LORD God.
Lydia had her priorities straight. Here deepest needs were met when she had her heart open to the teachings of Jesus Christ taught by Paul. Our deepest needs will also be met by opening our heart to the teachings of Jesus Christ and persistent prayer of the heart. Lydia had a listening ear. This means she was listening with a hungry heart that needed to be fed. She was fed. We equally need to be listening with a hungry heart that needs to be fed. We must all be still before the Lord and let Him do the talking and teaching. Instead of us doing the talking and teaching we need to be listening so we can learn what the Lord wants to teach us.
Lydia was willing to believe, identify, and walk according to the Lord Jesus Christ. When we use our time, talent, and resources for the Glory of the Lord then we are sharing His Good News with our families and those in our community who witness our dedication to the Lord. Because of the strength of conviction Lydia was baptized as well as her household.
We as Christian women of Christ need to remember we are being watched. We offer something the world wants and does not know how to achieve. It is that honest conviction that the way of life is by following after the teachings of Christ. Even when life throws us a curve ball we are still able to know we are not alone and can rest in the arms of Jesus. Then go forward in our life to achieve what we need to achieve.
Luke 18:27 “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Lydia a Seller of Purple:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Oct 2014.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1721,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014, October) “Lydia a Seller of Purple:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1721,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014) “Lydia a Seller of Purple:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (October), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1721, (accessed).
