It was "shock and awe", but not in the sense of a sudden, powerful military strike. It was the shock and awe of integrity and supernatural power.
Acts five begins with the unsettling story of a couple who conspired to lie about the proceeds from a real estate sale (Acts 5:1-10). It was well within their right to sell the land and donate any amount of money they wished to benefit the needy, but trouble came when they decided to lie to the apostles, and ultimately God's Holy Spirit, about the amount. Retribution was immediate: they both fell dead at the feet of the apostle Peter.
This tragic story punctuates the pervading atmosphere that surrounded the activities and life of the early church. We are told that, "great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things" (Acts 5:11). The lesson was obvious: integrity mattered, and even the nonbelieving community around them took note:
"But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem" (Acts 5:13)
Participation with this community of believers was not to be taken lightly, and these high standards generated respect and esteem by those outside. These people were not only a people proclaiming a message; they were living it, and powerfully demonstrating it.
For the past few years the concept of The Truth Revolution has been much on my mind. The Truth Revolution, to my understanding, is where the dynamic truth of scripture meets lifestyle and results in incredible, convincing power. Such was the case with the early church: they boldly embraced and declared truth which was not popular, lived lives of integrity, and were blessed with displays of Holy Spirit power that was unmistakably authentic. And the results then were the possibilities for today:
"And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number" (Acts 5:14)
The Revolution centers on the message: "And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ" (Acts 5:42). This message produces radical change in lifestyle for all who will receive and embrace it, and authentic Holy Spirit power is evident for all to see. Nothing is more compelling!
May we live today in complete integrity to the message of truth, and serve as conduits of Spirit power to a world in desperate need of a display of that which is genuine.
Steve
Acts five begins with the unsettling story of a couple who conspired to lie about the proceeds from a real estate sale (Acts 5:1-10). It was well within their right to sell the land and donate any amount of money they wished to benefit the needy, but trouble came when they decided to lie to the apostles, and ultimately God's Holy Spirit, about the amount. Retribution was immediate: they both fell dead at the feet of the apostle Peter.
This tragic story punctuates the pervading atmosphere that surrounded the activities and life of the early church. We are told that, "great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things" (Acts 5:11). The lesson was obvious: integrity mattered, and even the nonbelieving community around them took note:
"But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem" (Acts 5:13)
Participation with this community of believers was not to be taken lightly, and these high standards generated respect and esteem by those outside. These people were not only a people proclaiming a message; they were living it, and powerfully demonstrating it.
For the past few years the concept of The Truth Revolution has been much on my mind. The Truth Revolution, to my understanding, is where the dynamic truth of scripture meets lifestyle and results in incredible, convincing power. Such was the case with the early church: they boldly embraced and declared truth which was not popular, lived lives of integrity, and were blessed with displays of Holy Spirit power that was unmistakably authentic. And the results then were the possibilities for today:
"And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number" (Acts 5:14)
The Revolution centers on the message: "And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ" (Acts 5:42). This message produces radical change in lifestyle for all who will receive and embrace it, and authentic Holy Spirit power is evident for all to see. Nothing is more compelling!
May we live today in complete integrity to the message of truth, and serve as conduits of Spirit power to a world in desperate need of a display of that which is genuine.
Steve
posted by steve @ 8:48 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home