This week has been a hard week for me emotionally and physically. Changes in my life are taking place but that is expected, it's life. I just finished my first of three camps with the other two quickly approaching. So I thought I would share what was on my mind the entire week. Acts chapter 2, specifically verses 42-47. This is what I call the lost chapter in Acts. Why? Because we (including myself) forget to live this out in our lives. It is especially difficult for us in America, because we are constantly bombarded with consumerism, capitalism, and materialism.
So what is it about these verses that make me feel this way? Well, verse 44 gives us the picture of a community of believers all sharing their lives together, valuing each other, and even (verse 45) selling their possessions to help their "family' (or community). If someone had a need the others would meet it. Now we read this and say "der", that's what the church is for. If you are a believer that is what you're suppose to do. That's what friends and family do right? But when it comes to me and my possessions, how far am I willing to go? How much of my money that I work hard for am I willing to give up for someone who I may feel is a slouch? But this is the thing, I believe this community of believers were so close, so tight, that no one was a slouch. Each person was pulling their own weight and helping the other out. so because of this what happened? Verse 46 and 47 illustrate a community that is happy in worship together. Devoted to each other, loyal, and committed. And what did God do to the group? They grew daily. More people were added to their numbers. How many of our churches would be blessed if we simply followed Acts 2 to the letter? Is it difficult, you bet. Sacrificing yourself to help others out is a difficult thing to do. We tend to look out for ourselves and prefer to not do without if we can avoid it. It's every man and woman for themselves. But wait, Jesus sacrificed his life right? The ultimate sacrifice! All to help me. Just so I can spend eternity with Him, and do life with Him. Maybe it is time I rediscover this chapter and live it out? How many are with me?
Lastly I want to mention that this morning as I sat in church and this very verse was read as the Pastor began his sermon, my heart became heavy. Heavy because I had been meditating on this verse the entire week. Heavy because in some way God was speaking to me and confirming my thoughts that the Spirit laid on my heart. And heavy because I know I may have left this chapter in the bible out of my life. Sure I followed it to a certain level, but probably no where near the level that the early believers did. This is not an easy task for us to do, but again.....how many are with me in trying?
