I have recently found myself reflecting on the division of our world, and, while reading Acts chapter 2, I realized something: in a world that seems divided, it is more important than ever that the people of God be united.
Acts chapter 2:42–47 in the ESV says this:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
This passage is a beautiful picture of the fellowship of believers in the early Church, and I believe this picture is still relevant to the Church today.
Although it seems that many things could divide us, it is essential to understand that what unites us is a person, and His name is Jesus.
I want to ask you: during this time of social distancing, have you been intentional about staying connected to other believers, or have you let relationships slip away from you?
The fellowship described in Acts 2 was not merely to record the activities of the early Church; it is meant to be a guide for us to follow.
Believers are meant to exist in a life-giving community: building one another up and thus building up the community around them.
Here are my questions for you today:
Who is in your circle of friends?
Are you stewarding life-giving relationships?
Are you intentionally pouring into others and allowing them to pour into you?
I genuinely believe that this is a critical time in our lives, in our cities, and in our nation to surround ourselves with a community of people who build us up. I believe that in each of our relationships, we should actively encourage others and edify them.
There are many things the Church today disagrees on, but we can all relate to this line of the classic hymn, Amazing Grace:
“I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see.”
The last prayer Jesus prayed on earth before he was crucified was this:
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
~ John 17:20–21 ESV
Let Jesus be the One who unites us, and may the Church today become a unified fellowship of believers.
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