Acts 2:42-44 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
In verse 44, notice it says they had "all things in common." Think about those you are closest to, whether someone you are dating or a best friend. You feel close to them because you have a lot in common with them, you feel a connection, you feel comfortable with them. Trust grows with time and familiarity, resulting in the feeling like you could share just about any part of yourself and feel safe knowing they would not reject you because you are confident in their faithfulness to you. You feel like there is nothing to hide.
Unfortunately, such faithfulness and trust is not so easy to establish with people we don't know very well or with people that are different from us. This is human nature. Even lovable house pets like dogs are wary of strangers and require "getting to know" new people who come into their home. If the master isn't there, most dogs viciously bark their heads off and snarl to ward off strangers, except the friendliest dogs which we often refer to as "stupid" or simply call them a bad guard dog. Some don't take too well to strangers even if their master is present. It amazes me how much people and animals have in common.
Even more than 40 years after the civil rights movement, it is rare to find a church that has a balanced representation between races. It is also rare to find a church that is diverse in representation between the economic and social classes. Consider even how our small groups are segregated to the familiar, divided by age, marital status, gender or common interest. Our human nature draws us to the familiar where we feel safe, just like dogs.
However, verse 42 states the first church of the devoted had "all things in common." What could have caused such a breach of normality that even the most different among them felt they had everything in common? Read in the beginning of chapter 2 and you will see the source from which unity was born: the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, " For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." The Holy Spirit creates unity out of diversity, erasing the boundaries of segregation by drawing everyone together through the commonality of spirit and truth no matter age, gender, race, social or economic status, resulting in one body with one purpose.
Why is today's church not like the first church as described in Acts? The answer is in the word that described their level of commitment: they were devoted. We must remember our human nature is our sinful nature. Though wanting to be comforable is natural, it is not spiritual. Jesus made it clear following him would be anything but comfortable. The Holy Spirit dwells in the heart and defines the character of a fully devoted follower of Christ. Devoted followers reach out, not in because they have their master in common. Like dogs, when the master is present, everyone is family.
If you have the song below, listen to it and meditate on the lyrics.
"If We Are The Body" Casting Crowns
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girl's teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the bodyWhy aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgemental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road
Jesus payed much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ
Jesus is the way
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment