January 7, 2023 -- Acts 2:42-47 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Accountability

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 ESV

What does your mind focus on when you read this passage? I know some of my family in Christ will focus on the signs and wonders and imagine this must be the focus of the church today. Others will look at the distribution of money and food as the focus. Those who do so are the folks who have a diaconal heart. That is, these have a focus on social justice as instituted by Jesus. In my denomination, whenever this verse is preached, I have heard a strong emphasis on the apostles’ teaching. It is my tongue-in-check observation we, unlike this early church, are already educated well beyond our obedience.

My bias when I read this passage is the mix of attending the temple and breaking bread in their homes. The word preached is then applied in the home setting. There is very personal accountability for how the preached word is applied in the lives of believers. The public declaration of the Gospel is critical. It is one of the means of grace.

My question is this, who has the right, the privilege, to go and visit you and help you see where you are obedient and where your walk with God is out of step with His teaching? Unless the Word preached is also applied to our hearts in our homes, the Word becomes for us a weekly event with little or no impact on our homes, our minds, our actions and our relationships. Every part of life needs to be saturated with the Gospel—the Good News that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and is seated at the Right Hand of the Father, therefore, we are a completely new people. The way we live and think must be radically different from the world. We are to be radically obedient to Him.

Who has the right to comment on your walk with God? Ask God about this.

Whose walk with God do you have the right to comment on? Who expects you and needs you to hold them accountable before God? Pray about this.

Then act in accord with what the Spirit is showing you. May it be that you and your close circle of influential Christian family will grow closer to Jesus Christ as you delight deeply in the love of Your Father in heaven and express this by Spirit fueled-obedience to God. .

Father in heaven Your love for Your covenant people is vast and endless. Blessed be Your Name. Help us, as Your people, to reflect Your love as we live in obedience to You through the righteousness and grace given us in Jesus Christ. Spirit of the Living God, conquer our pride-filled hearts. Humble us. So that we will vulnerable to Your work and laid bare to the good influences of close Christian family members who also desire to grow, mature, and live out loud for Jesus. Amen.

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