Relationships

Acts 2:44-47 (NIV)

All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

This picture of Christian community has always left me in awe.

They took all their "stuff," sold it, and pooled the money. Then, they gave it out to those as they had need.

Can you imagine that level of trust?

What can possibly be behind that kind of counter-cultural community?

I think we can only chalk it up to shared experience and common goals.

These people were powerfully bonded together by an experience of faith in the risen Christ. Beyond that, they had experienced the Holy Spirit. They had seen miracles and wonderful affirmations happen in their midst.

They believed the Gospel, and experienced it first hand.

Their goal became living in community, illustrated by common love and care for each other and the world until the return of Christ.

Churches, of course, are notoriously famous for silliness and in-fighting.

And, we should remember that the world is watching.

But when Jesus becomes central and there is a common mission and purpose, those kind of situations have a way of falling by the wayside.

Life is too short, and the calling is too important. If God could form a community of amazing trust and hope 2,000 years ago, he can do it still today.

What it could mean to be that sort of "city on a hill."

Prayer: May we learn to be the image of Christian community, as found here in the early church. By shared experience and common goal, form us into a community of faith.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Psalm 133