Today’s Reading, Acts 1-3
Focal Scripture: Acts 2:44 “Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.”
Having things in common with those you surround yourself with is very important. It doesn’t mean that that you agree on everything but it does mean you agree on core values. For instance, if you believed that murder was always ok no matter the reason or the circumstance and I didn’t believe that was ethical. we would have some friction in the relationship. You can be acquaintances with people you disagree with passionately but you will never see things eye to eye. That will produce tension in the relationship.
In today’s reading the new church has been through a lot in a short amount of time. First, they see Jesus crucified and then resurrected. Then he walks amongst them and teaches them his most important lessons. Once that is completed he ascends into heaven. Following that event the Holy Spirit gives the believers supernatural power to speak in others peoples native tongue. Then Peter preaches a powerful message and many are saved. The people are in awe and wonder. Then we are told the believers were together and had all things in common. They were single minded.
I passionately believe that if all believers today were of one mind much more would be accomplished. The believers in the early church age had a simple belief system. Jesus is God in the flesh. He was resurrected and lived again. To have your sins forgiven you must believe that Jesus died for your sins and in exchange you live for him. Repentance was the key word and lifestyle for any follower of Christ. These beliefs were not questioned or debatable.
In today’s church setting most places can’t agree on what color the walls should be in the sanctuary. If you try to have deeper conversations you are often not able to do so because the people are shallow in their faith. I have been around professing believers who have been saved for decades and they have no idea what they believe. I have been around churches that care more about their appearance than the truth of the gospel.
They will be united over people and prestige but not scripture. That is the challenge I have for you today as a believer and a church member. Do you know what you believe? Then will you follow it no matter how difficult the path might be for you? When solid biblical truth aligns, no debate can happen. People will debate situations that are not true or relevant because they like to argue. Scripture is what guides us and the Holy Spirit leads us towards a biblical foundation.
So are you with people you are united with biblically? If not you will not be very happy. I am not telling you to leave your current church. However, I am telling you to examine your church majors on the important topics or if they major on how things look. I was part of a church before that looked the part on the outside but was not truly united. Disagreement abounded in every sector and it caused damage for everyone involved, especially the community. When churches are not together they are divisive.
Be held together by what matters and allow that to drive your decision making.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Acts 4-6
