Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 7

"Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.'

When he had said this, he fell asleep."

Acts 7:60

Forgiveness. Letting go of another’s wrongdoings. Refusing to allow negative feelings associated with relational affronts to take hold of one’s heart. Rejecting the temptation to establish a grudge or harbor a bitter spirit. Not giving in to the urge to continually view someone in light of their past mistakes.

     I have wronged many people throughout my life, often those close to me. But I have equally been wronged by the words and actions of others on numerous occasions. Every time I experience a personal offense, I am forced to decide which nature I will allow to prevail: my fleshly nature or the Holy Spirit’s nature. My fleshly nature reacts to heart wounds with disappointment and resentment. The Holy Spirit’s nature, however, responds to such incidents with kindness, grace, and forgiveness. There is a striking contrast between the two. The fleshly nature leads to hurt; the Holy Spirit’s nature leads to healing.

     Perhaps the most personally challenging event involving my need to exercise forgiveness transpired when I was asked to step down as the part-time music minister of a church that I had been leading in worship for almost three years. My removal was never fully explained or expressed by the pastor, the man who called for my departure. What is arguably more surprising is that the pastor forced my resignation without explaining anything about it to the church. Personnel committee members and deacon members were given advanced notification that I was being asked to step down, but virtually no one inquired about the rationale or underlying circumstances. One day I was there, the next day I was not.

     I went through several stages of agony in the months that followed. At first, I was deeply upset and hurt. The initial aftershock resulted in a barrage of tears. Then my hurt turned into spite. What right did the pastor have to dismiss me so carelessly? Why did the church passively condone my perceived injustice to occur without questioning the pastor, corporately praying, seeking counsel, or pursuing reconciliation? Finally, spite morphed into anger. I was furious at the pastor, the church, and, for a season, God Himself. 

     God made me aware that what I was sensing was not spiritually healthy or appropriate. In time, He helped me move beyond yesterday’s frustration by embracing a glorious today. The season of pain brought about a thirst in me that only God’s truth could quench. My heart became fertile soil which eventually produced the most fruitful season of spiritual growth that I have ever experienced. God’s Word and His Spirit comforted me tremendously.

     But even as I drew closer to God, I knew something was unresolved. Almost a year after I had been excused from the music ministry, I still had not forgiven the pastor for what he had done. The Holy Spirit was rightfully convicting me to engage a forgiving spirit. I was not content staying in a state of spiritual half-heartedness. I needed to give God everything, including the emotional sting and scars that I had received from my former pastor.

     For awhile, I debated what course of action I should take. Should I call the pastor out of the blue and ask how he was doing? Should I send him an email and ask if we could get together? Neither of those options sounded desirable. I finally decided to write the pastor a letter. Unable to find the right words to flow through a pen, I stared at a blank piece of paper for several days. I did not want the tone of the letter to be abrasive or attacking. It needed to be compassionate. It needed to be peaceful. It needed to be sealed in love. But my bitterness towards the pastor blocked my ability to write a letter of forgiveness. The Holy Spirit continued to encourage me to stop thinking about forgiving the pastor and actually forgive the pastor. But how? 

     The answer was found in prayer. Through the Holy Spirit’ prompting, I prayed that God would bless the pastor. Was my heart fully in tune with that request at first? Honestly no. But I prayed it over and over, day after day. As the weeks went by, I found my heart truly desiring what the Holy Spirit urged me to say. Soon, my prayers for the pastor became more energetic and emphatic. God, please allow the pastor to lead his family well. Help him to see the value of your Word and convey it in such a way that the church members will daily crave to spend time in it. God, keep him humble and dynamic.

     The coolness of my heart quickly melted away in the warmth of the Holy Spirit’s fire. The pastor was no longer a manipulator or a deceiver in my mind; he was a brother. I forgave him completely. My letter to the pastor was written immediately after that final spiritual hurdle was cleared. No yearning to pass blame or cast stones presented itself. In fact, the letter took on a quality of praise. I thanked the pastor for the opportunity he had given me and expressed a hope that our friendship would someday be restored.
     Did I mail that letter? No. Why? Because I never felt a sense of peace in the potential outcome. If I mailed the letter and heard nothing from the pastor, I would probably undergo a heightened level of sadness or displeasure. If the pastor did respond, but in a manner that communicated he had no remorse for his conduct, then personal aggravation would likely resurface. As I relayed these musings to my wife and mother at lunch one day, my mother said, “Don’t give another thought to mailing the letter.” She pointed out that the desire to write the letter had finally liberated me to forgive the pastor, shedding a backpack of burdens in the process. She also reminded me that forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation, although forgiveness is a critical step in the path to reconciliation. Forgiveness, like love, is a one way transaction that does not levy any expectation of positive reciprocation on the one it is being given to. 

     Looking back, writing that letter was not intended to change the pastor; it was intended to change me. My heart needed to unchain the pain and the bitterness. Thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit, prayer, and biblical study, I did. Fellowshipping with God was crucial to helping me find the capacity to exercise forgiveness. 

     Forgiveness has a way of freeing humanity from the shackles of our flesh. Stephen provided a dramatic example of this in Acts 7, when he was put on trial for his faith in Jesus. The manner in which Stephen was forcibly led to trial was by means of lies and slander. He was brought before the Sanhedrin. Acts 7:1 reveals that the interrogation of Stephen by the religious leaders was sanctioned and chaired by the high priest, just as it was with the apostles’ trial in Acts 5. The high priest opened the trial by asking Stephen if there was any truth to the claim that he had dishonored the temple and spoken against the Mosaic and oral laws. Stephen’s reply was extensive and steeped in biblical history. 

     The disciple’s defense began by addressing the Sanhedrin as “fathers and brothers”, which indicates Stephen did not want the Sanhedrin to view him as an outsider to the Hebrew faith. Even though he was a believer in the authority and divinity of Jesus Christ, Stephen was still a part of the Jewish ancestry and heritage. He too cherished the beliefs and traditions of God’s covenantal people: Israel. His allegiance to Christ did not diminish this admiration. If anything, it enhanced it. 

     Stephen discussed key points in the Hebrew narrative, highlighting considerations which could only be further understood or appreciated in light of Jesus’ life and atoning sacrifice. From Abraham to Joseph to Moses, there was conclusive evidence that God’s generousness and man’s rebelliousness were repetitive themes in the Jewish story. But to appreciate Israel’s roots, the people needed to consider their nation’s incredible beginning. Abraham (formerly Abram) was fatherless when God called him to leave his home and go to a place God would later reveal to him. God promised to bless Abraham and make his name great (Genesis 12). Many generations would rejoice because of Abraham’s noble life. In every way imaginable, Abraham’s decision to desert his country and follow God into the unknown was a journey of faith. Therefore, Israel did not originate as a nation guided by customs and self-imposed laws; it was founded as a people of faith.

     In the course of Stephen’s testimony, he did not speak unfavorably of Moses’ work as he was falsely accused of doing. Rather, he elevated Moses’ place in the Jewish chronicle because, in a way, Moses was a forerunner to the work of Jesus. Moses was a man unlike any other. He held several vital offices for Israel: redeemer, law-giver, judge, and representative of God. But even he was rejected and ignored by his kinsmen. Stephen drew a parallel to the refusal of many in his time, especially within the religious order, to accept the position and teachings of Jesus, the Righteous One.    

     The Old Testament clearly expressed the need for an eternal redemption that could only be found in an unblemished sacrifice. The Mosaic law, which called for continual sacrificial offerings, was momentary. It was a prelude to the all-encompassing, all-sufficient offering of Jesus. Stephen accused the religious leaders of disobeying the Mosaic law by refusing to accept the life, legacy, and lordship of Jesus. Jesus’ association with Moses was absurd, foolish, and outright hideous in the minds of the Sanhedrin council. Stephen proclaimed that the religious leaders were a stiff-necked people, which was a common rebuke utilized by many of the Old Testament prophets. Furthermore, Stephen declared that the Sanhedrin members had uncircumcised hearts, alluding to a disparity in that the Jewish men had the physical mark of God’s covenant on their bodies but they lacked the spiritual mark of faith in their hearts.   

      Stephen employed his bold critique hoping to arouse the religious leaders to brokenness and repentance. Instead, he incited their anger. The hearts of the Sanhedrin members overflowed with contempt. Perhaps knowing what was coming, Stephen looked up and was given a supernatural gaze into heaven, where he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Jesus’ seat beside God confirmed His divine equality with God. This, of course, was a blatant falsehood in the eyes of the Sanhedrin since they did not recognize the Messianic nature of Christ. When Stephen announced his vision to the Sanhedrin, they began screaming and charged at him like a pack of wild animals, dragging him out of Jerusalem. 

     The wickedness in the dark hearts of the Sanhedrin was fully exposed that day. They put Stephen to death by means of stoning. Although this type of execution was permitted in Leviticus 24:16, this vicious and violent form of punishment was reserved for those who had blasphemed God, which Stephen did not. But this tragedy was dually unsanctioned by the fact that all corporal punishment issues were to be addressed by the Roman civil powers, not the Jewish ecclesiastical courts, as was the case with Jesus’ crucifixion. Stephen’s execution was therefore illegal. 

     As Stephen’s body was getting bombarded with rocks, he prayed that God would not hold the sin of his slaughter against the participants, a response that is truly remarkable. As stones lacerated his skin and drove him to the ground, Stephen’s dying thought was one of mercy for his murderers. This was not Stephen’s flesh speaking; it was the Spirit of God speaking. A person exhibiting concern for the eternal welfare of the very people bringing his life to a sudden, painful end provides one of the most compelling examples of the difference that the Holy Spirit can make in one’s life. Clearly, forgiveness is not for the faint of heart; it is for the faithful of heart.

     Luke documents a young man named Saul, who we will come to know later as Paul, watched the cloaks of the men as they killed Stephen, suggesting that Saul not only approved of Stephen’s murder, he had a hand in it. It is important to note that the forgiveness I refer to in the upcoming paragraphs, as I have in previous paragraphs, is a forgiveness that pertains to broken human relationships. This must not be confused with divine forgiveness. Divine forgiveness is an act of God’s grace which forever removes the stains of a believer’s sins. Through Jesus, and only Jesus, believers are restored to a right relationship with God. Human forgiveness, on the other hand, is the ability to cast away bitter thoughts towards the offending party. It refuses to wish ill-will upon those who have performed hurtful actions. It does not excuse the sins of the offender, but it does remove the feeling and burden of resentment towards the offender. Jesus addressed human forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-22, which Stephen modeled in his dying moments in Acts 7:60. Through Stephen’s example, we discover three fundamental components of forgiveness. 

     One, forgiveness is sincere. Stephen’s plea for God not to condemn his attackers came from a sincere, spiritually-deep life, a life that preaches and practices forgiveness. He longed for people, even those who would assault him, to come to know Jesus as their Savior. Stephen was genuinely concerned for humanity.

     Forgiveness gives regardless of whether it is accepted. It gives regardless of whether someone favorably responds to it. It places no conditions, restrictions, or stipulations on the person it is being offered to. It has no shelf life or expiration date. It has no strings attached or hidden agendas. It is not based on someone’s worthiness to receive it; it is based on someone’s willingness to grant it. 

     Two, forgiveness is steadfast. It does not tire or fade. It is longsuffering. Even when facing threats of force and acts of hatred as Stephen did, forgiveness can overcome. This may seem impossible or unrealistic, but it is only impossible or unrealistic from a human perspective. From God’s perspective, not only is forgiveness possible, it is expected. Believers have been pardoned from the eternal consequences of our transgressions. We should be willing and able to reproduce the merciful nature of our Redeemer. 

     Three, forgiveness is selfless. Instead of dwelling on the injustice of his personal situation, Stephen chose to dwell on the spiritual state of his persecutors. Instead of becoming consumed with the severity of the pain he was being subjected to, Stephen chose to be consumed with the hearts of his oppressors. He was selflessly thinking of his persecutors’ livelihood rather than his own affliction.

     Forgiveness is undeniably powerful when it is practiced by God’s followers. It is so powerful, in fact, that a person who is brutally led to death’s gate can find the strength and conviction to show genuine compassion for the lives of others. It was true of Stephen. It was true of Jesus. It should be true of us.

Do you exercise a forgiving heart?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 6

"All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel."

Acts 6:15

     Transformation. A recognizable change. A manifested metamorphosis. An undeniable conversion that causes others to take notice. 
     Like many, college was a difficult transition period for me. I struggled to accept the arrival of adulthood and its impending responsibilities. One area where I felt extremely vulnerable, and awkward, was my physical appearance, which affected my sense of identity and level of confidence. As a result, I was very apprehensive entering my freshman year. I viewed the university setting with deference and admiration. Therefore, I wanted to make a strong impression on my professors and my fellow students, not just in my study habits, but in my conduct and my apparel as well. I attended my first day of class dressed in a polo shirt and slacks. I quickly realized that I was the odd man out. Most of my male peers wore t-shirts and tattered jeans. Some even sported flannel pajama pants.
     I kept to my personal dress code for a while, but eventually the low-key fashion of the other students began to influence me. Shortly thereafter, I left the polo shirts and slacks hanging in the closet and went to class in wrinkled shirts and ratty jeans. In time, I stopped caring about how I presented myself. What did it matter? I let my hair grow long and spent little-to-no time grooming it. I stopped wearing contact lenses, opting instead to don an old pair of gold-rimmed glasses. The disorder in my appearance mirrored the disorder in my attitude. I was in emotional turmoil. As my freshman year drew to a close, I was overcome with a feeling of displacement. I grappled with several questions. Where was my life going? Who was I? Would I let my appearance and internal sense of attractiveness be dictated by the behavior, or habits, of others for the rest of my life?
     That following summer, God dealt with my confused heart. The Lord reassured me that spiritual growth is the real benchmark of splendor. Having fellowship with Him is the real source of character and meaning. My worth was not defined by what others thought of me, or even what I thought of myself. Who ultimately defined my worth was God. His Word confirmed over and over how He felt about me. The Bible affirms that I am masterfully created (Ps. 139:17). I am loved (Eph. 3:18-19). And through Jesus, God’s Son, I am saved from my transgressions (Ro. 10:13).

     As these truths echoed in my mind, I understood that I was not insignificant.  Furthermore, I was convicted to stop finding contentment in being a cultural imitator. I needed to be who God wanted me to be – unique and original. One of a kind. As my spiritual growth accelerated, my physical outlook changed. I cut my hair. I replaced the gold-rimmed glasses with contact lenses. I purchased a gym membership and apportioned time regularly to exercising my body. I reinstated the desire to utilize a respectable wardrobe, fully acknowledging that clothes and style do not wholly characterize my inner self - my relationship with God does.  

     When I arrived on campus my sophomore year, several students immediately noticed my makeover, which I labeled a personal metamorphosis. But what few knew is that the external change originated from an internal change. I desired to look physically handsome because God made me feel spiritually handsome. My relationship with Him gave me direction, satisfaction, and purpose. As a fellowship with God took shape, it reshaped me - from the inside out.

     The apostles were certainly no strangers to transformation. The Holy Spirit’s permanent indwelling within their hearts, as well as the Holy Spirit’s bestowal of special healing gifts, verified that the apostles were transformed men. Their character, nature, and temperament were forever altered. Their spiritual reformation had powerful and lasting effects. But transformed men often encounter hardships, as was the case in Acts 6 when a controversy began to threaten the unity of the church. Scripture states that some Grecian Jews took issue with Hebraic Jews over the daily allocation of food to widows. 

     Much has been studied on what distinguished Grecian Jews from Hebraic Jews. By and large, most scholars believe the primary differences between Grecian Jews and Hebraic Jews were language, geography, and culture. Grecian Jews likely spoke Greek whereas Hebraic Jews spoke Hebrew or Aramaic. Grecian Jews probably originated from territories outside Judean land, whereas Hebraic Jews were born and raised within the Judean region. Grecian Jews probably adopted some of the trends and norms of Greek life, whereas the Hebraic Jews likely maintained a separatist stance on Greek customs. Regardless, Acts 6:1 confirms some disciples strongly believed a segment of people were being ignored or disregarded. 

     The text does not imply that the Grecian Jewish widows were being overlooked on purpose. It could be that the rapid expansion of the church had outpaced the manner in which the food and provisions were distributed to the needy. Rather than dismiss this controversy or attempt to settle the dispute in secrecy, the apostles assembled the leading disciples to discuss, and thereby resolve, the matter. There is something to be said for addressing a disagreement through a transparent forum, a forum which fosters accountability and clarity. 

     The apostles told the disciples that their primary charge was to preach the gospel, not supervise charitable donations. This proclamation was not intended to diminish the importance of serving meals to families. It was a solemn acknowledgment that the apostles had been commissioned by Christ to teach the gospel, aided in large part by prayer. Jesus-centric evangelizing was their primary mission, and their primary focus. Therefore, they told the leading disciples to select seven men to manage the acceptance and division of future monetary contributions. 

     This recommendation marked the beginning of functional roles and responsibilities within the church structure. Notice that the apostles did not recommend the lay leaders be chosen haphazardly. They placed a spiritual standard of excellence for the people who would occupy the newly established positions. They required that the seven financial overseers be men who were full of the Spirit and full of wisdom. Nothing less would suffice. This clearly shows us that all church leaders, whether salaried or volunteer, should be employed by believers who fervently strive to honor God in all facets. The apostles’ suggestion pleased the leading disciples.

     When the seven candidates were selected and presented to the apostles, the apostles placed their hands on them and prayed for them. Supplication accompanied by the laying on of hands was an ancient tradition that dated back to Genesis 48, when Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh in the same way. This action represented a transfer of power and conferred authority upon Ephraim and Manasseh. It spiritually encouraged them to faithfully and dutifully carry out their imminent responsibilities and it symbolically represented a desire for divine intervention and strength in their lives.

     With the disruptive affair behind the church, Acts 6:7 states that the word of God spread. In fact, the gospel presentation was so convicting that some within the priestly order began to receive it and accept it. Prior to this, the priests had largely rejected the tenets of the Christian faith. But thanks to the Holy Spirit, many within the religious establishment overcome their prejudices and stepped out of spiritual darkness and into God’s glorious light.  

     Acts 6 shifts its focus from the church-at-large to Stephen, one of the seven men who had been brought before the apostles for confirmation and dedication. Luke listed Stephen first among the seven financial overseers in Acts 6:5, citing that Stephen was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, which apparently made him stand apart from others. By all accounts, Stephen was an extraordinary individual. He displayed immense wisdom, courage, and integrity. Furthermore, Stephen was full of God’s grace and power, able to perform wonders and astounding signs among the people (Ac. 6:8).     
     The Bible signifies that Stephen was a man who honored God through his actions and conduct. He consistently presented a passionate, dynamic witness. His effective evangelizing offended some within the Hebrew community. The opposition originated from citizens of Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia, intimating that the people most resistant to Stephen were Hellinist Jews. Hellinist Jews were individuals who hailed from regions outside the Judean territory. Hellinist Jews sought to adapt the Hebrew practice to the culture and language of a Hellenistic, or Greek-like, society. And they were fiercely adamant about preserving the traditions of the Hebrew practices because of the pagan environment. There are many examples in Acts where the Hellinist Jews were much more hostile to the gospel than other Jewish people, including religious leaders, living in or near Jerusalem.    
     The hostility towards Stephen became volatile and argumentative. Some confronted Stephen and publicly quarreled with him. Stephen’s responses were so godly and Spirit-filled that his attackers could not refute his statements. With incredible insight and clarity, Stephen was able to confound the dissenters and debaters. When the contenders realized that they could not contradict Stephen’s truth claims, they turned to deceit. They convinced some people to lie and declare that they had heard Stephen speak against the temple and the Mosaic law. This shameful tactic helped incite a riot of sorts. Stephen was summarily seized by a crowd and rushed to the Sanhedrin, the same council who attempted to shame and discredit the apostles. Stephen was falsely charged with conspiring to destroy the temple and its laws, a claim that was once wrongly issued against Jesus (Mt. 26:61). 
     As Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin, Acts 6:15 records that his face was like the face of an angel. Perhaps Stephen exhibited a radiance, akin to the glow Moses received after conversing with God on Mount Sinai (Ex. 34:29), or maybe Stephen’s general countenance was so serene, despite the volatile conditions of his arraignment, that it caused the religious leaders to marvel at it. Either way, Stephen was visibly different from everyone else in the room for he had the Spirit of God in him. He was under the influence of an irrefutable transformation, a transformation containing three elements that merit further reflection.
     One, transformation is undeniable. Every one of the Sanhedrin members present witnessed Stephen’s angelic face. The text does not state that most of the members saw it, or even that some of the members saw it. All saw it. One of the attributes that sets Christianity apart from other beliefs is the transparent change that accompanies faith in Jesus. Does this mean every born again Christian will avoid pitfalls or mistakes? No. But what it does tell us is that when one surrenders his or her heart to Christ, there will be undisputable evidence that a transformation has taken place. It may not be a supernatural facial glow, but it will be overwhelmingly comprehensible in some way.  
     Two, transformation is unmistakable. Godly change cannot be cloaked. It cannot be concealed. It is translucent and identifiable. The Sanhedrin could not ignore Stephen’s transformation. It was curiously captivating. Stephen did not run from it, nor did he attempt to hide it. His transformation was available for others to behold. Stephen’s transformation had a distinct quality that set it apart from anything or anyone else. 
     It is critical to note that Stephen did not boast about his godliness. His humble and honest approach only amplified his conversion to faith in Christ. Where some might have been tempted to brag about their blessing, Stephen continued giving praise and glory to God. Furthermore, Stephen spoke of Jesus directly to hostile audiences. Undaunted by naysayers, Stephen entered the fray with a convincing witness. This ability was not of Stephen’s own making for the Holy Spirit provided Stephen the ability to speak in authority and power (Ac. 6:10).

     So many times the wonder of God is restrained because Christians distract others from it. Selfish motives and stubborn wills often prevent the holy message from being transmitted in our lives. Stephen’s example gives us with much inspiration. He did not let his flesh get in the way of God’s Spirit. He daily chose to be a mouthpiece for Christ and left a legacy sealed with an unmistakable transformation.

     Three, transformation is unveiled. It exposes what is in one’s heart. The ultimate proof of this point was later exemplified by Stephen’s testimony in front of an antagonistic Sanhedrin council in Acts 7. Stephen called out the religious leaders for not obeying the divine instruction given to them, going so far as rebuke them for their role in the execution of Jesus (Ac. 7:51-53). Stephen’s words sent the Sanhedrin into a state of rage, which ultimately led to Stephen’s own execution, making him the first recorded Christian martyr.   

     In the midst of adversity, Stephen could have remained silent. He could have renounced his earlier testimonies. But transformation does not allow one to go backwards spiritually. To have ignored, or abandoned his allegiance to Christ, would have been a rejection of himself, for Jesus’ life was eternally intertwined with Stephen’s life. When the Holy Spirit embodied Stephen’s heart, God’s love for Stephen and Stephen’s admiration for Jesus were forever inseparable. Truly, Stephen exhibited a Christ-centered heart. 

     The constant element that is restated throughout Acts 6 is that Stephen was a spirit-filled man. Filled with knowledge. Filled with wisdom. Stephen willingly emptied himself of his selfish nature so that he could be filled with the Holy Spirit, the One Who grants knowledge and wisdom. When enemies lined up to oppose him, Stephen did not fight back. He did not resist them. His transformation would not allow it. Stephen reacted to fury with faith. To callousness with compassion. To disdain with devotion. To terror with truth. To lies with love. Such is the activity of the Holy Spirit, the great Counselor of God, Who undoubtedly transforms lives.  

Can others see the transformation that has occurred within you?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 5

"Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ." 

-Acts 5:42

Zeal. A driving passion. A discernable belief. A devotion that spurs acknowledgment and generates action. An unwavering chase to bring about real, lasting change. 

     Zeal is a conviction that spawns a focused intensity and a resolute determination. It does not cower when it encounters obstacles. It does not retreat when it faces resistance. It does not give ground to doubt or criticism. Even when mockers denounce its work, a zealous heart faithfully tarries on.

     Zeal seems to come naturally to youth. Although they may not be able to articulate it, the lively spirit that children exhibit affirms life is a blessing, abounding with evidence of God’s goodness and affection for humanity. It is remarkable to consider, unfortunately, how quickly zeal dissipates as youth gives way to adulthood. Children tend to marvel at the world around them, whereas adults tend to malign the world around them. Children tend to see the world as an adventure, whereas adults tend to see the world as an affliction. When grown-ups become emotionally apathetic and spiritually lethargic, they lose the wonder of existence, meandering through their days harboring resentment and discontentment. How differently would their outlook be through the eyes, heart, and zeal of a child? 

     Like many, I exhibited zeal in my adolescence. Words like “impossible” and “never” did not burrow their way into my vocabulary or thoughts until my later years. I once believed that if I gave enough effort and commitment to whatever goal was set before me, success would be sure to follow. My well-meaning, but ultimately misguided, perception was crushed by an incident that happened to me in elementary school.

     I participated in many athletic programs throughout my grammar school years. Although I never stayed with any specific sport for an extensive period of time, little league baseball produced a spirited energy within me, and held my interest longer than the others. When I first started playing baseball, I had high hopes of earning an infield position. Unfortunately, my first assignment was as an outfielder. While I understood every position in baseball was critical to the total strength of the team, I was discontent with my role. In my mind, being an outfielder was unspectacular. The infield was the center of activity. After all,infielders get opportunities to stop grounders and throw out runners at the bases. They receive thunderous cheers from parents after they execute important defensive stops. Very few spectators get off their seats to applaud outfielders catching fly balls. But I accepted my post and gave it my best.  

     One day, an opening for a more prominent position was made available when our catcher was injured during a game. He aggravated his left wrist, which prevented him from being able to absorb the impact of pitches. The coach called a timeout and had the team huddle together. He told us our catcher could not finish the game. He then asked if someone would be willing to fill in as catcher. Without flinching, I raised my hand and said, “I will.” Bear in mind, I had never practiced as a catcher before. There were fundamental techniques my body was not be prepared to engage. Maneuvering with the additional weight of the protective gear. Maximizing hand and eye coordination to grab a spiraling pitch out of the air. The coach was justifiably cautious but equally touched by my willingness to help the team. He said, “Ok”.
     With much assistance from the primary catcher, I put on the protective catching equipment. Immediately, my mobility felt uncomfortably restrictive. Every twist and turn of my body was labored. It was as if I was moving in slow motion. Then I put on the catcher’s mask. As I draped it over my face, my view drastically narrowed.  The numerous slits in the mask, which were designed to shield me from potential facial injuries, hampered my line of sight, leaving me with no peripheral vision.
     When the moment of truth came, I took to the field. As I crouched down behind home plate, I was flooded with excitement and dread. I tried to ignore my quickened heart rate and trembling hands, but the lack of physical proficiency and the emotional turmoil shattered my false confidence and bravado. My limited movement and delayed reflexes caused me to miss every pitch. Balls sailed by me with rapid pace. I found myself spending as much time at the backstop retrieving baseballs as I did squatting behind home plate trying to catch the baseballs. 

     I managed to last just a few batters before the coach pulled me from the game. My catching premier was a disaster and left me feeling dejected. The embarrassment of being unable to handle a catcher’s assignment quieted my pretentious attitude. I quickly wanted to move past that lackluster performance and return to being an outfielder.

     That experience taught me zeal can either be godly or worldly. What differentiates the two is mindset and motivation. When one’s zeal is applied solely to the things of this world, it leads to a state of despair. Fame. Popularity. Success. Such pursuits derive from selfish objectives. What one hopes to achieve through worldly zeal never ultimately satisfies the internal hunger of the soul. Dreams get bigger but the list of disappointments gets longer. But when one’s zeal is applied to the things of God, it leads to a state of delight, filled with contentment and satisfaction. Priorities are realigned in conformance with the directives of God’s Word and the direction of the Holy Spirit. Conditioning character and sacrificially investing in others become key aims. In sum, godly zeal helps one focus on the greater issues of life, such as spiritual growth, family unity, and kingdom-building work.

     Godly zeal distinguished the apostles and believers. Events in Acts 5 speak to this truth. But not everyone honored the aspiration to let Christ be exalted in their endeavors. The sacrificial act that many disciples entered into in Acts 4, that being the voluntary conviction to sell homes and land holdings in order to give the monetary return wholly to the apostles for the purpose of redistributing the earnings to people in want, was presented in a counterfeit manner by one couple in Acts 5. Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property, but chose to retain a portion of the proceeds. One wonders if Ananias and Sapphira could not fully entrust their lives to God. Perhaps, like the rich young man in Matthew 19, the husband and wife struggled with placing their hope in God’s providence rather than in their possessions. Regardless, Ananias went to the Jerusalem temple and laid some money at the apostles’ feet, which, by all appearances, indicated that he and Sapphira had made the noblest of contributions to Christ’s ministry.

     Peter, through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, immediately recognized the deception. He supernaturally understood that Ananias wanted praise and credit providing a substantial offering without surrendering everything it required. False intentions and fake worship practices incur God’s rebuke and wrath. As a result of Ananias’s charade, he fell dead at Peter’s feet, the very place Ananias’s insincere showing occurred. A few hours later, Sapphira attempted the same ruse. She shared the same fate as her husband and instantly died after Peter’s divinely-inspired reprimand. As the report of these events spread, great fear and respect seized those inside the church, as well as many outside the faith.  

     Acts 5:12 points out that the apostles relentlessly served people. They performed healings. They cast out evil spirits. They reallocated donations to those in need. Because of their allegiance to tell and teach others about Jesus, they became fixtures in Jerusalem’s temple. The threats from the religious establishment did not dissuade the apostles from talking about Christ. Although the apostles did not have the consent or endorsement of the Jewish priests and elders, they continued gathering in the outer courts of the temple to evangelize, disciple, and worship.

     The resulting work of the Holy Spirit through the apostles was incredible. Residents of Jerusalem who were ill were cured in mass. Shortly thereafter, people from neighboring towns brought sick family members and friends to Jerusalem in hopes that the apostles would offer a healing touch. All who were brought before the apostles were freed from their infirmities. The religious leaders tolerated the message and actions of the apostles for a time, but eventually their anger and frustration outweighed their acceptance and patience. Of all the places, the temple courts, where the religious leaders were to be highly revered, the apostles, unschooled commoners, were amassing a substantial following. Even though the labor of the Holy Spirit was both evident and inviting, it insulted and infuriated the priests and officials. 

     Scripture states the rejection of the gospel began at the top of the religious structure, with the high priest, the very person who should have been the most responsive to God’s movement. The Sadducees, like the high priest, were filled with jealousy at the apparent gifts of the apostles and the growing fellowship that was generating. Once again, Peter and John were arrested and thrown in prison, along with the other ten apostles. Even if the priests and religious leaders had no criminal activity they could levy upon the apostles, they could momentarily thwart their ministry. To them, this was a minor victory, but a victory none-the-less. But overnight, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the apostles’ prison cell, released them, and instructed them to resume preaching the gospel in the temple courts. 

     The next day, the high priest and officials convened a meeting of the Sanhedrin and called for the apostles, assuming they were still securely bound in jail. The officer-in-charge went to the apostles’ prison cell, unlocked it, and found no one was inside. When the word of the apostles’ inexplicable disappearance was given to the high priest and officials, they were perplexed as to what could have happened to the apostles. Their state of confusion did not last long because the apostles were busy preaching in the outer courts of the temple, as the angel of God had advised them to. The temple guards immediately removed the apostles from the temple court and took them to the Sanhedrin for interrogation. 

     The high priest’s initial statement to the apostles is very insightful.  He chastised Christ’s followers for disobeying the religious panel’s order not to teach in Jesus’ name. This was a manmade mandate, not a heavenly-ordained mandate. As such, the apostles responded to the high priest and official by saying, in essence, God’s decrees trump those of man. One would hope that the apostles’ miraculous prison liberation would have revealed something to the Sanhedrin about the fact that God’s blessing was upon the apostolic ministry. But that was not the case. If not for the timely advice of one of the Pharisees, a man named Gamaliel, who Paul credited as his former teacher in Acts 22:3, the apostles likely would have been condemned to death on the spot. Gamaliel offered wise counsel to the high priest and officials, reasoning that if the work of the apostles was that of man, it would fail in due time. If the work of the apostles was sanctioned by God, however, then the Sanhedrin council would be fighting a lost cause because the religious leaders would be, in essence, opposing God directly. Either way, they needed to excuse themselves from the affairs of the apostles. Gamaliel’s speech persuaded the Sanhedrin to refrain from having the apostles executed that day.

     Although the apostles could have been released without harm, the religious leaders had them stripped and whipped through the heinous practice of flogging. Furthermore, they demanded, yet again, that the apostles abstain from speaking about Jesus Christ anymore. The apostles’ reaction has much to teach us. With bloodied bodies, they walked away rejoicing. Rejoicing that they had suffered for the cause of Christ. Rejoicing that their disgrace was a result of their desire to help others know Christ’s grace. The apostles had an undaunted spirit. Acts 5:42 magnifies the measure of their resolve. They continued teaching about Jesus in the temple courts, as well as in peoples’ homes, in spite of the warnings and behavior of the religious leaders. The apostles’ unashamed outlook provides three characteristics of godly zeal worthy of deliberation. 

     One, a godly zeal is active. The Bible states that the apostles preached the gospel day after day. To speak daily about Jesus reveals how important the Savior was to the apostles. Not only was the legacy of Christ worthy of contemplation, it was worthy of communication. Jesus was more than a sound, moral teacher to these men. He was more than a wise, inspirational counselor. He was more than a gallant, ethical martyr. The apostles believed, rightly so, that Jesus is the Author of life, Who sacrificed Himself for humanity. Through Christ, forgiveness is made available to anyone willing to accept His gracious gift. This magnificent message demands an active ministry, not a passive one.

     Self-serving motives disappoint. Self-made plans fall apart. Impure agendas are exposed. But godly zeal stands the test of time and the test of character. It refuses to retreat. It refuses to be silent. It gives without abandon. The apostles demonstrated the convicting power of zeal through their unwavering passion to share Christ’s message. The sincerity of their ambition reveals an abiding love that is both patient and steadfast. Even in the face of harassment and heckling, the apostles counted it pure joy to speak of the difference Jesus had made in their lives.

     Two, a godly zeal is apparent. It is often said that actions speak louder than words. The apostles obviously believed both were of equal value for it was through their words and actions that they directed others to Jesus. They voiced hope-filled words. They offered healing and help. They exhausted nearly every means they could in order to bring Christ’s salvation to the people. In fact, not only did the apostles continue relaying the gospel message in the temple courts, they took the message into peoples’ homes. No individual or family was above, or below, an offer of salvation.  

     The apostles’ daily act of worship is a critical consideration. Many in the Hebrew faith had confined worship to the temple and synagogue settings. One day a week, based on Old Testament instruction, was set aside to honor God. This day was known as the Sabbath, which means “desist”. It was a day the Israelites ceased, or desisted, from working in order to observe God’s commandment to rest, thereby allowing God’s followers to publicly gather and worship Him. 

     Although the Sabbath should have been but one means of transparent devotion, it had become the exclusive form of worship for many of the Israelites in the New Testament era. And even at that, several religious leaders had distorted the nature of the Sabbath, turning it into an opportunity to flaunt their spiritual superiority, as well as instill social control over the biblically uninformed. The Sabbath was consecrated to be one day in a weeklong, better yet lifelong, spirit of worship, but, by and large, it had become a passionless observance.  

     The apostles believed that worshipping God is a privilege that should be enjoyed and offered up daily. This conviction was so strong that it prompted them to praise God inside and outside the confines of the religious structure. To them, worship was personal and therefore portable. They carried praise everywhere, even to the most private setting: a person’s home. Every day, not just the Sabbath day, is a day that warrants the admiration and declaration of the glory of God, and His Son: Jesus Christ. The apostles refused to disassociate their religious lives from their personal lives. An admiration for Christ trumped pretense. We see through their example that a spiritual relationship with God demands total allegiance, a zealous allegiance that is both active and apparent. 

     Three, a godly zeal is audible. The apostles never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. How did they reveal that they believed Jesus was the Son of God and that Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary was sufficient to eternally cover humanity’s transgressions? They told others about it. In a world that prefers to dwell on shallow sentiments, reading about the bold stance and message of the apostles is highly motivating. They knew truth would be difficult for some to absorb; they spoke it anyway. They knew truth would cause some people to be upset and indignant; they said it anyway.  They knew truth would be met with rejection and persecution; they shared it anyway. Although the world did not want to hear what the apostles had to say, they needed to hear what they had to say. 

     Truth is rarely accepted in culture, but that does not negate mankind’s need to receive it. The apostles unapologetically accepted the role of being truth-talkers. They modeled a lifestyle of godly zeal that deserves review and replication. They honored God with serving hands and surrendered hearts, so-much-so that they daily chose to give glory to God through their speech and their service. They viewed each day as yet another opportunity to herald the glory of Jesus, the One in Whom zeal is appropriately placed.

Does your life emanate godly zeal?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 4

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had." 

-Acts 4:32

     Unity. A relational bond which brings about oneness of purpose and oneness of mission. Differences, which once seemed to hold so much attention and concern, fade from the spotlight. 

     When eyes are fixated on God, the blemishes and faults of others lose their brightness. The longing to accomplish a pivotal task has the power to cause divided hearts to become united hearts. Something remarkable transpires when two or more people are emotionally and spiritually joined together. When a church fellowship is God-centered the unity it produces allows ministry to overcome mayhem. When a marriage is God-centered the unity it produces allows commitment to conquer cynicism. A church personnel committee meeting several years ago reminded me how vital the pursuit and preservation of unity is in marriage, as well as in ministry. 

     I was contacted by a pastor one afternoon who suggested that we get together for a lunch interview. I had been recommended for a part-time music ministry opening in his congregation. Although I had never met the pastor prior to my initial interview, our like-minded ministry approach formed an instant connection. We each shared a zeal for sound biblical teaching, uplifting and meaningful worship, and discipleship. Not long after the lunch meeting, the pastor requested that I visit with the church’s personnel committee and answer some preliminary questions. Since I had served as the worship leader for two other churches prior to this experience, I was well-acquainted with the pace, progression, and proceedings of ministry employment. Naively, I assumed the impending personnel committee review would be like my previous ones.

     Over the phone, the pastor provided a calendar opening for a comprehensive conference that accommodated the committee members. Then he followed up with a question that caught me off guard. “Will you make sure that your wife can attend the meeting?” I responded with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. “Why? Will she be asked direct questions?” The pastor explained that the committee had a vested interested in discerning my wife’s heart too. It was just as imperative that they confirm my wife’s commitment and calling.

     In the pastor’s eyes, my wife and I were a package deal. The congregation would not only be welcoming me into their church family as a leader; they would be welcoming my wife too. This was not an invitation that they took lightly. It required prayer and investigation. My wife and I instantly felt a special association to that church. Eventually, we were called to that fellowship and served there for over four years.

     Thinking back, that church ministry was the best experience I had in the first ten years of my ministry tenure. The friendships. The blessings. The personal and marital growth. The confirmations of God’s working. All of which all came about because a pastor and a church personnel committee took a noble approach in hiring me as their music minister. They diligently examined both my spirit and my wife’s. The congregation had a firm hold on a time-tested truth: a devoted marriage helps produce a dynamic ministry. To put it another way, unity in marriage fosters unity in ministry. 

     Even in times of opposition and attack, unity is achievable, as confirmed by the actions of the apostles and believers in Acts 4. As Acts 3 concluded, Peter was still in the midst of delivering a powerful and poignant message to worshippers gathered at the temple grounds. As Acts 4 opens, Peter is interrupted by priests, Sadducees, and the captain of the temple guard. They were disturbed by the declaration that Jesus had been raised to life. This truth threatened to weaken the public confidence in the wisdom of the religious leaders, given that they were primary stakeholders in the plot to crucify Christ.

     It is important to take a moment to briefly evaluate the Jewish religious structure that was present in the first century. Like denominational fellowships within the Christian faith today, the ancient Hebrew culture had a fair share of religious parties, which expressed variances in beliefs, priorities, and points of emphasis. The two dominant religious parties in this time were the Pharisees and the Sadducees. 

     The Pharisees were the larger group and therefore carried more influence with the general population. They led the synagogues dispersed across the Judean region and abroad. The word “Pharisee” is translated “separated one”. The Bible verifies that the Pharisees were strongly committed to the study and interpretation of the Mosaic law. But the Pharisees eventually instituted the development of oral laws and placed those human ordinances on equal footing with the written law inspired by God. They were religious progressives. Their oral laws received the rebuke of Jesus on many occasions in the gospel accounts. Christ fiercely opposed the misguided understanding and misapplied practice of God’s Word.  

     If the Pharisees were the religious progressives then the Sadducees could be considered the religious conservatives, or traditionalists. They were a party that enjoyed the affluent demographic, as well as the high priestly families. While the Pharisees controlled the numerous synagogues, the Sadducees were responsible for conducting temple services in Jerusalem and collecting its offerings. Sadducees rejected the oral laws the Pharisees produced because they strictly adhered to the first five books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch). Remarkably, the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, angels, or demons. They also did not view God as One Who is heavily involved or concerned with the affairs of mankind. 
     According to Acts 4:2, it was the matter of Jesus’ resurrection that incited the ire of the Sadducees and priests at the temple. Because of this, they immediately apprehended and incarcerated Peter and John. Despite the vengeful efforts of the priests and Sadducees to disrupt Peter and John’s evangelistic work, many people surrendered faith in Jesus Christ that day. As Peter and John were being led away and confined in a prison cell, five thousand men became Christians.    

     The apostles were to be tried before the Sanhedrin council, a panel of well-educated scholars of Scripture. The Sanhedrin was the most influential Jewish council in the first century. It was comprised of as many as seventy-one members, including Pharisees and Sadducees. Each member was believed to be an expert in the Word and ways of God. Because Sanhedrin trials were not conducted in the late afternoon and evening hours, Peter and John spent a night in jail. The very next morning they were brought before the Sanhedrin. 

     The pressing question asked of Peter and John by the Sanhedrin was eerily similar to a question posed to Jesus by the priests not long before, “By what power or what name did you do this?” (Mt. 21:23). The strategy employed against Jesus was repeated with Peter and John. The religious leaders hoped to condemn the apostles by way of self-incrimination. If they confessed anything perceived to be criminal, or in violation of God’s law, their own admission would warrant their torture, dismissal, or death. 

     Acts 4:8 states that the Holy Spirit appropriately fitted Peter to answer the religious leaders’ deceptive query. Peter’s divinely-led reply dumbfounded the spiritual elitists. The apostle quoted from Psalm 118:22, which indicates that the stone that was rejected by humanity (Jesus) had become the foundational stone of God’s structure (the church). When the religious leaders recognized Peter and John’s courage in the face of fire, as well as their command of Scripture, despite their lack of theological education, they were speechless. Furthermore, the healing of the paralytic, a man who had been unable to walk for over forty years, verified the apostles were endowed with special gifts from God. They were not masquerading as men with supernatural abilities; they were men with supernatural abilities. The evidence of their anointing was undeniable. 

     The religious leaders were ready to punish Peter and John for talking about Jesus, but the panel lacked the nerve to inflict physical harm on them because the general body of temple worshippers held a favorable view of the apostles. The previous day’s miracle and message produced an excitement and fervor that was still circulating. Begrudgingly, the religious panel released Peter and John, who promptly went back to the church body and relayed everything that had happened. The church responded with praise and prayer. Furthermore, the believers asked God to grant them great boldness so that they could proclaim Jesus in a hostile environment. As they closed in prayer, the place where they were meeting was shaken by the movement of the Holy Spirit.

     Acts 4:32 highlights the unity the first century church enjoyed. The people were one in heart and one in purpose. They were a family. Sharing. Giving. Loaning personal belongings to each other. The results were indisputably powerful. There were no needy persons among them. With materialism and possessiveness practically gone, the church body enjoyed a season of contentment, allowing the focus to remain on the preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ. 

     The life-changing methodology of charitable giving and sharing was just as shocking to find in the ancient world as it would be to find in the modern world. Most people would prefer to receive personal adulation rather than offer up humble admiration of Jesus. Most people would prefer to be entertained as the esteemed guests in someone else’s home rather than use their home as a means of ministering to the community. Most people would prefer to accumulate exclusive trinkets, or expensive possessions, rather than embrace opportunities to give away or sell valuables in order to help those much less fortunate. 

     This passage presents a drastic and distinguishing contrast between the godly nature and the worldly nature. The godly nature seeks to practice love, truth, and sacrifice. The worldly nature, however, seeks to practice hate, deceit, and selfish stockpiling. The worldly nature can never satisfy the hearts of those who proclaim Jesus is Lord. The early church realized this. As a result, they continually had a motivation to do more, say more, and give more. Their example reveals spiritual unity brings about greater understanding, as well as a desire to accomplish godly undertakings.

     Three important aspects of unity stand out in Acts 4. One, unity fosters a solidified fellowship. To solidify means to take on a definite form or identity. When people are transformed into believers of Christ, they take on a new form. They are given a distinct identity. No longer called enemies of God, they are called friends of God. No longer considered castaways, they are considered children of the eternal King - a designation that was paid for by the eternal Son of God: Jesus Christ.

     Christians should not only be willing to associate themselves with Christ, they should aspire to honor Him with their lifestyle. Jesus provided us with many examples of righteous living, as recorded in the gospel accounts. He chose to exercise ministry rather than materialism. Compassion rather than condemnation. Leadership rather than legalism. Generosity rather than greed. The lavish love of Jesus demands to be modeled in the actions of His followers.

     This concept is not readily received or promoted in the current culture. Individuality is the desirable position, not conformity. But if you trace the root of this desire, you will likely find that this longing stems from a prideful yearning. We must continually evaluate our motives and ask ourselves, “For what purpose do I seek exceptionality?” Is it to draw attention to my life, or is it to draw attention to the One who gave me life?

     Jesus offers mankind the opportunity to find a sense of worth in Him, rather than in ourselves. Talent, beauty, and status can never produce a lasting or healthy self-image. Only in Jesus can humanity know the greatness of His unending love and feel the wonder of His astonishing grace. By conjoining our lives with Christ’s, we discover God’s purpose not only edifies believers, it unifies believers. The first century disciples were an assorted lot, but what brought them, and kept them, together was the burning desire to proclaim the message of Jesus.

     Two, unity fosters a satisfied fellowship. An abiding relationship with God brings about a holistic change in the lives of believers. Patience increases; anger decreases. Love emanates; hate dissipates. Peace flourishes; worry fades. Priorities are reevaluated and reshuffled. Thoughts and actions are passed through the searing lens of God’s biblical standards, rather than man’s shallow, self-indulgent standards.   

     To discover and enjoy satisfied hearts, believers must consider the source of their satisfaction. For some, money is the means of finding contentment. The larger the bank account, the better one’s outlook on life. This deluded notion has a critical flaw - what happens if the money one has set aside devalues, or is suddenly required to cover some enormous, unplanned expense? Where then does one turn to for peace of mind?

      For others, a career is a means of achieving a sense of fulfillment. Workaholics dedicate hours to impressing clients, bosses, and co-workers in order to climb the worldly ladder of success, often bypassing time with loved ones, friends, church family, and God. The primary fault with this approach is what happens when a career is over? What then is the driving ambition for one’s life? Some realize all too late that the ladder of success has no apex. It is demanding and ultimately unfulfilling.

     For the few who have discovered satisfaction in a relationship with God, there is joy inexpressible. To them, the value of God’s presence, unlike money, never diminishes. To them, God’s kingdom-building work, unlike a vocation, has no retirement date (save death). The disciples fervently sought to exercise a sanctified spirit, which thereby allowed them to experience satisfied hearts.

     A relationship with God has a multiplying effect. The disciples individually drew closer to God. Then, because of a common desire to worship Jesus, the disciples drew closer to one another. As they drew closer to one another, they became attune to the needs and burdens of each other. They endeavored to meet their church family’s needs and alleviate the church family’s burdens. As they ministered to one another, they saw the world through the scope of love. In love, they were inspired to reach out, not just to their fellow believers, but to non-believers as well. Clearly, satisfied hearts do not look for security in the temporal things this world has to offer. Rather, satisfied hearts find security in an abiding relationship with God. 

     Three, unity fosters a sacrificial fellowship. The aspiration to submit ourselves completely to the cause of Christ produces a radical transformation. The early disciples made serving people more important than stuffing their pocketbook. They made conveying love more important than collecting land. Such extreme action reveals an extravagant appreciation for what Jesus meant to the believers, as well as a firm trust in the provision of God. When hearts are fixated on Christ, homes and holdings tend to lose their luster. They lose their appeal. They lose their level of significance. 

     Surrendered lives are sacrificial lives. The confirmation of this reality is underscored in the closing two verses of Acts 4. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, meaning “son of encouragement”, sold a field he owned and gave all of its earnings to the church. He desired to honor God in everything, especially in the area of finances. His selfless act revealed the depth of his devotion. In laying the proceeds at the feet of the apostles, Barnabas was symbolically laying down his life for the cause of Christ. As we will come to discover later in Acts, Barnabas was a man deeply committed to the faith, and he led by word and deeds. Such is the character of those who find unity in the grace of Jesus.     

Is unity a visible attribute in your life?