and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:56 NKJV)
Stephen was a witness for Christ. He was unwilling to keep his mouth shut about Jesus, even when it cost him his life. And in the exact moment of his death, he is still proclaiming the truth of God. He is stating what he clearly sees. He is testifying as to the truth of Heaven, of God, and of Jesus. And his proclamation is a public, unashamed, and unfiltered invitation to all to LOOK.
In his dying moments Stephen still gives a magnificent example of what it means to be a witness for Christ. On the verge of being stoned, Stephen refers to Jesus as the “Son of Man,” a term that would have instantly struck a chord for the crowd. He did not use the term “Son of God,” which was the other phrase often employed to describe Jesus. There was a reason for his choice of terms.
Just months prior to this event, at His trial before Caiaphas, the high priests, scribes, and elders, Jesus made this statement:
… From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64 NKJV)
Bible scholars infer that the phrase “Son of Man” draws its implications from the Old Testament references in Leviticus 25:25-26, 48-49; Ruth 2:20 to the kinsman redeemer. By Jewish law, the next of kin (one related by blood) always functioned as the "kinsman-redeemer" of a family member who needed redemption from jail. That is why Christ had to take on humanity in order to bring us to Divinity. He needed to be blood related so that we could be blood bought back from the prison of sin.
By using this phrase, “Son of Man,” Stephen is bringing the bystanders back to the reality of who Christ claimed to be. He is testifying as to His ability to redeem them. So, in his final breath, Stephen is a true witness to the saving power of Christ.
Stephen’s life makes me ponder some important questions - Is my life devoted to the things of God in such a focused way? Do I make the saving power of Christ my bottom line on all I say and do? Today, I will use my words wisely to be a witness to the power of the resurrection and the reality of my Kinsman Redeemer.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Standing Ovation
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, (Acts 7:55)
The first thing that jumps out at me when I read this verse is the fact that Jesus is standing. The one little detail screams a magnitude about our Savior’s heart towards this event. We know from Ephesians 1:20, that when the Spirit raised Christ from the dead, it says that he “seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,” so, why does Stephen see Him standing?
There may be many answers to this question, but the first one that came to mind is the scene in the courtroom when everyone is sitting around, waiting for the proceeding to start, and then the bailiff announces, “All rise.” And in honor of the entrance of the Judge, everyone in the courtroom stands to his or her feet. We also rise when the bride comes down the aisle at a wedding, or we are giving a “standing ovation” for someone who has just given an outstanding performance.
The fact that Stephen sees the Lord standing implies that Jesus is giving Stephen a standing ovation, a gesture of honor, as the first of many who would ultimately give their lives for the sake of the Gospel. Stephen’s willingness to die for his Savior thrilled the heart of God.
When we enter Heaven, we will see Jesus, that’s a given. But will He be waiting for us in a sitting or standing position? Certainly our salvation has nothing to do with works, but whether or not we please the heart of God has absolutely everything to do with what we did with what He gave us while here on earth. If our goal is to simply make it to Heaven, then our day to day choices don’t matter. But if our goal is to get a standing ovation from an audience of One, then we must choose, as Stephen did, to die for the cause of Christ. And the key to how is found in the little phrase, “filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Today, I will ask God to fill me with His Spirit that I might, like Stephen, choose death to self and find a life that causes Christ to jump to His feet for joy.
The first thing that jumps out at me when I read this verse is the fact that Jesus is standing. The one little detail screams a magnitude about our Savior’s heart towards this event. We know from Ephesians 1:20, that when the Spirit raised Christ from the dead, it says that he “seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,” so, why does Stephen see Him standing?
There may be many answers to this question, but the first one that came to mind is the scene in the courtroom when everyone is sitting around, waiting for the proceeding to start, and then the bailiff announces, “All rise.” And in honor of the entrance of the Judge, everyone in the courtroom stands to his or her feet. We also rise when the bride comes down the aisle at a wedding, or we are giving a “standing ovation” for someone who has just given an outstanding performance.
The fact that Stephen sees the Lord standing implies that Jesus is giving Stephen a standing ovation, a gesture of honor, as the first of many who would ultimately give their lives for the sake of the Gospel. Stephen’s willingness to die for his Savior thrilled the heart of God.
When we enter Heaven, we will see Jesus, that’s a given. But will He be waiting for us in a sitting or standing position? Certainly our salvation has nothing to do with works, but whether or not we please the heart of God has absolutely everything to do with what we did with what He gave us while here on earth. If our goal is to simply make it to Heaven, then our day to day choices don’t matter. But if our goal is to get a standing ovation from an audience of One, then we must choose, as Stephen did, to die for the cause of Christ. And the key to how is found in the little phrase, “filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Today, I will ask God to fill me with His Spirit that I might, like Stephen, choose death to self and find a life that causes Christ to jump to His feet for joy.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Simplicity of Heart
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, (Acts 2:46)
You cannot help but be struck by the consistency of these new believers. Their faith was not a part-time endeavor. It was an all-in kind of experience. They were at the church every day and visited one another’s homes for meals on a regular basis. They had a joy and gladness that was evident to everyone.
It is the last little phrase of this verse, however, that causes me pause. Luke records that these new Christians did all that they did with “simplicity of heart.” The dictionary gives the following definition of simplicity – ease, plainness, humility, guilelessness. There is something to be said for keeping it simple and not complicating our faith. The first church did not have a hidden agenda. They simply enjoyed the fellowship and wonder of their newfound faith. It is apparent that this unscattered, focused, singleness of heart had much to do with the stability of their group when you consider the admonition of James:
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:5-9 NKJV).
By maintaining a simplicity of heart, they were able to stay single-minded and enjoy a growing, stable, relationship with one another and the Lord.
How much of my faith is complicated by my own agenda? I need to keep the main thing the main thing so that I do not become double minded and miss the stability that is produced by a simplicity of heart.
You cannot help but be struck by the consistency of these new believers. Their faith was not a part-time endeavor. It was an all-in kind of experience. They were at the church every day and visited one another’s homes for meals on a regular basis. They had a joy and gladness that was evident to everyone.
It is the last little phrase of this verse, however, that causes me pause. Luke records that these new Christians did all that they did with “simplicity of heart.” The dictionary gives the following definition of simplicity – ease, plainness, humility, guilelessness. There is something to be said for keeping it simple and not complicating our faith. The first church did not have a hidden agenda. They simply enjoyed the fellowship and wonder of their newfound faith. It is apparent that this unscattered, focused, singleness of heart had much to do with the stability of their group when you consider the admonition of James:
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:5-9 NKJV).
By maintaining a simplicity of heart, they were able to stay single-minded and enjoy a growing, stable, relationship with one another and the Lord.
How much of my faith is complicated by my own agenda? I need to keep the main thing the main thing so that I do not become double minded and miss the stability that is produced by a simplicity of heart.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Leadership Worth Following
7And his armor-bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul." 1 Samuel 14:7
To be with someone heart and soul really requires a depth of devotion and commitment that can never be superficial. We could easily think that because this is the armor bearer to the king’s son, he is obligated to do this, but that would be a mistake. We only need to look at the story of Gideon and see that when given the opportunity to go home, most of Gideon’s army chose not to stand behind him in his hour of need. They left the minute they could, but the reality is that they would have done the same thing even in the thick of battle.
Devotion itself is quite rare and the object of its affection fuels it. The more enamored we are with the person, the more committed and devoted we are. Many tyrants have demanded devotion, but when the rubber meets the road, the devotee will not willingly give their life for the cause of their ruler.
Jonathan’s relationship with his armor bearer was different. He was completely and totally sold out to Jonathan, which implies that there was something about Jonathan’s character that this man felt worthy of devoting his life to – even to the point of death.
That is the earmark of a leader. They have the ability to bring out the absolute depth of commitment in another human being. And it has everything to do with character. It is why men were drawn to Jesus. The Bible says he was not really that attractive; in fact, He was quite ordinary. So it wasn’t his good looks that mesmerized the crowd. It was the inner strength and quality of His character. It was because people knew that He was a man of conviction, fearful of nothing, and One who did not put His own life first.
And in the sentence right before this verse, we see that Jonathan’s character is built upon an unwavering faith in God’s sovereignty. Jonathan was so fixed upon God’s plan for his life, that he was able to abandon all care for himself and devote his own attention to the bigger picture of what God was doing. And that kind of faith was contagious enough to pierce the heart of his armor bearer.
If I am to lead others, I must myself first have the kind of faith in Christ and walk with Him that is deep enough that others have the confidence to follow me – even when it looks like a suicide mission.
To be with someone heart and soul really requires a depth of devotion and commitment that can never be superficial. We could easily think that because this is the armor bearer to the king’s son, he is obligated to do this, but that would be a mistake. We only need to look at the story of Gideon and see that when given the opportunity to go home, most of Gideon’s army chose not to stand behind him in his hour of need. They left the minute they could, but the reality is that they would have done the same thing even in the thick of battle.
Devotion itself is quite rare and the object of its affection fuels it. The more enamored we are with the person, the more committed and devoted we are. Many tyrants have demanded devotion, but when the rubber meets the road, the devotee will not willingly give their life for the cause of their ruler.
Jonathan’s relationship with his armor bearer was different. He was completely and totally sold out to Jonathan, which implies that there was something about Jonathan’s character that this man felt worthy of devoting his life to – even to the point of death.
That is the earmark of a leader. They have the ability to bring out the absolute depth of commitment in another human being. And it has everything to do with character. It is why men were drawn to Jesus. The Bible says he was not really that attractive; in fact, He was quite ordinary. So it wasn’t his good looks that mesmerized the crowd. It was the inner strength and quality of His character. It was because people knew that He was a man of conviction, fearful of nothing, and One who did not put His own life first.
And in the sentence right before this verse, we see that Jonathan’s character is built upon an unwavering faith in God’s sovereignty. Jonathan was so fixed upon God’s plan for his life, that he was able to abandon all care for himself and devote his own attention to the bigger picture of what God was doing. And that kind of faith was contagious enough to pierce the heart of his armor bearer.
If I am to lead others, I must myself first have the kind of faith in Christ and walk with Him that is deep enough that others have the confidence to follow me – even when it looks like a suicide mission.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Dead Man Walking
and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need (Acts 2:45 NKJV).
What kind of trust level are we talking about here? Think for just a minute about selling your possessions and allowing the money to be pooled together to provide for everyone in the group. If we are going to be completely honest with ourselves, this would be a step of gigantic proportion for most of us living in this Country, in this century, on many levels. To name just a few – What if you have more than most people? What if you really want to help some of the people, but not all of them? What if you don’t really understand why? What about the fact that you don’t really get to say what your contribution goes towards? What if you don’t have very much?
There is a lot to consider under the surface of this quick little statement – “they sold their possessions and goods,”- as if that were just a normal thing that required no inward battle. I think not. People are people and even though this was a different time and place, it would not be surprising to find that they still battled with same human tendencies and emotions that we do. And if we don’t factor in their humanity, we will never get the full impact and power of what they did. They actually experienced unity – the way God intended unity to be. Not just occupying the same personal space or living a parallel life, but real unity. An existence in which “who I am” and “what I have” is merged together into a oneness with “who you are” and “what you have.”
This unity is the bottom line goal of marriage, as expressed by the Lord in Genesis when He said, “And the two shall become one flesh.” The idea of “one flesh” is seen most clearly in the trinity. Three in One. All separate, individual Persons comprising One singular unit. And explain it away as much as you want in the egg, water, and whatever illustrations you may use, the reality of this kind of Unity is completely divine. It can never be accomplished through the power of the human will. It can only be accomplished when we completely surrender to the work of God’s Spirit in us. And that takes a trust that goes beyond a mere assent to the facts of who Jesus is. It takes a trust that is willing to lose it’s own rights, understanding, possessions, and even its own will to chose which rights, when it can’t understand, and what possessions. The first church was able to do what they did because their level of trust was deep enough to take them to their own personal point of death.
I can clearly see today if I am trusting in God to the same degree of depth as the first church by my ability to live as a dead man walking.
What kind of trust level are we talking about here? Think for just a minute about selling your possessions and allowing the money to be pooled together to provide for everyone in the group. If we are going to be completely honest with ourselves, this would be a step of gigantic proportion for most of us living in this Country, in this century, on many levels. To name just a few – What if you have more than most people? What if you really want to help some of the people, but not all of them? What if you don’t really understand why? What about the fact that you don’t really get to say what your contribution goes towards? What if you don’t have very much?
There is a lot to consider under the surface of this quick little statement – “they sold their possessions and goods,”- as if that were just a normal thing that required no inward battle. I think not. People are people and even though this was a different time and place, it would not be surprising to find that they still battled with same human tendencies and emotions that we do. And if we don’t factor in their humanity, we will never get the full impact and power of what they did. They actually experienced unity – the way God intended unity to be. Not just occupying the same personal space or living a parallel life, but real unity. An existence in which “who I am” and “what I have” is merged together into a oneness with “who you are” and “what you have.”
This unity is the bottom line goal of marriage, as expressed by the Lord in Genesis when He said, “And the two shall become one flesh.” The idea of “one flesh” is seen most clearly in the trinity. Three in One. All separate, individual Persons comprising One singular unit. And explain it away as much as you want in the egg, water, and whatever illustrations you may use, the reality of this kind of Unity is completely divine. It can never be accomplished through the power of the human will. It can only be accomplished when we completely surrender to the work of God’s Spirit in us. And that takes a trust that goes beyond a mere assent to the facts of who Jesus is. It takes a trust that is willing to lose it’s own rights, understanding, possessions, and even its own will to chose which rights, when it can’t understand, and what possessions. The first church was able to do what they did because their level of trust was deep enough to take them to their own personal point of death.
I can clearly see today if I am trusting in God to the same degree of depth as the first church by my ability to live as a dead man walking.
Remember and Refresh
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, (Acts 2:44 NKJV)
The unity of this group is probably one of the most striking and notable virtues of the first church. They not only spent time together, they actually were doing life together. And there was nothing that they kept from one another. They literally shared everything they had. You can’t help but notice a stark contrast between this original church and what is typical of the Christian church today. Most members of churches today can barely hang out with one another for even one hour a week and they certainly would not be open to sharing everything they had with someone else.
So what makes the first church so different? It could be the newness of their salvation. We are only weeks away from the crucifixion and Pentecost. They have had a life-altering encounter with God. These people have are still in the “awe” of salvation and for them it is very real. Most of them were personal eye witnesses of the resurrection and the events of Pentecost. Many may have actually known Jesus and witnessed the miracles, teaching, and touch of the Savior. They no longer looked through the eyes of a worldly viewpoint, but enjoyed an eternal perspective.
So, how can we, as Christians who are decades removed from these events still keep the freshness of our salvation experience? This is one of those things that God accomplishes that is hard to explain. It is where we seem to tap into His timeless nature. At the moment we fully realize the magnitude and meaning of what happened at the cross, at the tomb, and on the day of Pentecost, it is as if time is removed and the “awe” of the experience brings us full volume into the reality of the events. So, the answer to the question of how to stay in the freshness of our salvation is by keeping our focus on the central point of Christianity, which is Jesus.
It has been almost 30 years since I had my “ah ha” moment of who Jesus is. Yet, even today when I set my mind on His Person, it is as if time disappears and His love, mercy, grace, and tenderness are as present and real as the moment I first believed.
For me to keep a heart of unity that desires fellowship with other believers and that has a light touch on the things God has entrusted to me, I must keep my eyes and heart clearly fixed on Jesus so that I can see everything from an eternal vantage point.
The unity of this group is probably one of the most striking and notable virtues of the first church. They not only spent time together, they actually were doing life together. And there was nothing that they kept from one another. They literally shared everything they had. You can’t help but notice a stark contrast between this original church and what is typical of the Christian church today. Most members of churches today can barely hang out with one another for even one hour a week and they certainly would not be open to sharing everything they had with someone else.
So what makes the first church so different? It could be the newness of their salvation. We are only weeks away from the crucifixion and Pentecost. They have had a life-altering encounter with God. These people have are still in the “awe” of salvation and for them it is very real. Most of them were personal eye witnesses of the resurrection and the events of Pentecost. Many may have actually known Jesus and witnessed the miracles, teaching, and touch of the Savior. They no longer looked through the eyes of a worldly viewpoint, but enjoyed an eternal perspective.
So, how can we, as Christians who are decades removed from these events still keep the freshness of our salvation experience? This is one of those things that God accomplishes that is hard to explain. It is where we seem to tap into His timeless nature. At the moment we fully realize the magnitude and meaning of what happened at the cross, at the tomb, and on the day of Pentecost, it is as if time is removed and the “awe” of the experience brings us full volume into the reality of the events. So, the answer to the question of how to stay in the freshness of our salvation is by keeping our focus on the central point of Christianity, which is Jesus.
It has been almost 30 years since I had my “ah ha” moment of who Jesus is. Yet, even today when I set my mind on His Person, it is as if time disappears and His love, mercy, grace, and tenderness are as present and real as the moment I first believed.
For me to keep a heart of unity that desires fellowship with other believers and that has a light touch on the things God has entrusted to me, I must keep my eyes and heart clearly fixed on Jesus so that I can see everything from an eternal vantage point.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Fear that Transforms
Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles (Acts 2:43 NKJV).
At first glance it may seem like the disciples have reverted back to the Upper Room scenario, where they were all huddled in fear for their lives, waiting on the day of Pentecost. It only takes a quick glimpse at a few other versions of this text to realize that this “fear” was not at all like the fear they experienced prior to Pentecost. In fact, this fear indicates a kind of “awe” or wonder. The Amplified version expounds on the meaning by saying it is a “reverential fear.” And we would learn an important lesson if we note carefully the order of this passage. The fear – or awe – came first and then the signs and wonders.
Too many people today are stuck in the rut of wanting to see God do something miraculous before they will give Him the reverence He is due. They fail to realize that we owe God reverence simply because He is God, not because He can perform miracles. If the Gospel has been watered down at all in our society – and it surely has – it would be diminished most in this area of the person of God. People tend to make Him a super hero or magician. They believe in a God who created the Universe, working with the process of evolution. A God who used tricks and slight of hand, or super hero powers, to pull off the wonders of creation and the supernatural protection of Israel as recounted in the stories throughout the Old Testament.
That would be a mistake. God is no super hero and He is absolutely not a magician. He did not create the Universe through the process of evolution. On the contrary, He created it out of nothing. He is the great I AM – the One who has existed before time began. In fact, He is the One who created even time, space, matter, and energy – all of it. From the vast expanse of the Universe to the most minute, immeasurable field of quantum physics, every planet, star, galaxy, universe, atom, subatomic particle, and beyond was brought into existence by the mere Word of God. And in the midst of all the miraculous composition that we know and that which we don’t even have a clue exists, He created man – the most complex creature known today. Then, in what has to be His most profound and outrageous display of power ever, He became incarnate, walked among us, suffered for us, and ultimately gave His very own life to redeem us.
It is quite clear that we could never comprehend, no matter how much others may try and explain Him, all that it means to be God. And it is in this inexplicable vacuum of understanding, we experience the awe of the first church in Acts 2:43. And in the moment that truth hits our soul, we experience the greatest miracle of all – salvation. At that moment, we are reconnected with our Creator, indwelt by His Spirit, empowered by His grace, and it becomes only logical that signs and wonders follow.
Today, I must lock onto the fact that the God who I will never be able to totally comprehend indwells me – for the purpose of reaching the world around me. I need to let the awe of that thought allow Him do what only He can do through me.
At first glance it may seem like the disciples have reverted back to the Upper Room scenario, where they were all huddled in fear for their lives, waiting on the day of Pentecost. It only takes a quick glimpse at a few other versions of this text to realize that this “fear” was not at all like the fear they experienced prior to Pentecost. In fact, this fear indicates a kind of “awe” or wonder. The Amplified version expounds on the meaning by saying it is a “reverential fear.” And we would learn an important lesson if we note carefully the order of this passage. The fear – or awe – came first and then the signs and wonders.
Too many people today are stuck in the rut of wanting to see God do something miraculous before they will give Him the reverence He is due. They fail to realize that we owe God reverence simply because He is God, not because He can perform miracles. If the Gospel has been watered down at all in our society – and it surely has – it would be diminished most in this area of the person of God. People tend to make Him a super hero or magician. They believe in a God who created the Universe, working with the process of evolution. A God who used tricks and slight of hand, or super hero powers, to pull off the wonders of creation and the supernatural protection of Israel as recounted in the stories throughout the Old Testament.
That would be a mistake. God is no super hero and He is absolutely not a magician. He did not create the Universe through the process of evolution. On the contrary, He created it out of nothing. He is the great I AM – the One who has existed before time began. In fact, He is the One who created even time, space, matter, and energy – all of it. From the vast expanse of the Universe to the most minute, immeasurable field of quantum physics, every planet, star, galaxy, universe, atom, subatomic particle, and beyond was brought into existence by the mere Word of God. And in the midst of all the miraculous composition that we know and that which we don’t even have a clue exists, He created man – the most complex creature known today. Then, in what has to be His most profound and outrageous display of power ever, He became incarnate, walked among us, suffered for us, and ultimately gave His very own life to redeem us.
It is quite clear that we could never comprehend, no matter how much others may try and explain Him, all that it means to be God. And it is in this inexplicable vacuum of understanding, we experience the awe of the first church in Acts 2:43. And in the moment that truth hits our soul, we experience the greatest miracle of all – salvation. At that moment, we are reconnected with our Creator, indwelt by His Spirit, empowered by His grace, and it becomes only logical that signs and wonders follow.
Today, I must lock onto the fact that the God who I will never be able to totally comprehend indwells me – for the purpose of reaching the world around me. I need to let the awe of that thought allow Him do what only He can do through me.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Living Like the First Church
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42 NKJV).
The dictionary defines the word “steadfastly” as persistently, consistently, with conviction, unwaveringly. And within that definition we get a glimpse of the groundwork that established the first century church. Their lives as believers were not an “add on,” but the main thing. They were serious about the study of God’s Word, the gathering of the saints together, breaking bread, and prayer. Their faith in Christ became the fabric of their existence.
It is only in our American society that faith is compartmentalized. That’s not the case in other cultures. When someone is a Muslim, that is what identifies them as a person. If they are a Buddhist, that is not just what they believe, but who they are. Any Jew living in Israel considers their faith to be why they are Israeli, not because of the location on planet earth they happen to live. Yet in this Country, may people consider themselves Americans first and Christians second. We identify ourselves by our Country rather than our Creator. It is why we are able to separate out what we learn on Sunday from what we do on Monday.
The Bible tells us that we are sojourners and pilgrims on this planet. That earth is not our home. How different would our lives look and our decisions be if we gave our faith the proper place that the first church gave their faith? If every choice we made were based upon the reality that we are believers in Jesus Christ, perhaps we could make the kind of impact on our world that the first church made on theirs.
Today, I need to consider my Christianity “steadfastly.” I need to grab hold of the truth that Jesus is not just my religious choice, but He is my very identity. I need to live as a Christian who lays down her life, not as an American, who is all about getting ahead in life.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:5-8)
The dictionary defines the word “steadfastly” as persistently, consistently, with conviction, unwaveringly. And within that definition we get a glimpse of the groundwork that established the first century church. Their lives as believers were not an “add on,” but the main thing. They were serious about the study of God’s Word, the gathering of the saints together, breaking bread, and prayer. Their faith in Christ became the fabric of their existence.
It is only in our American society that faith is compartmentalized. That’s not the case in other cultures. When someone is a Muslim, that is what identifies them as a person. If they are a Buddhist, that is not just what they believe, but who they are. Any Jew living in Israel considers their faith to be why they are Israeli, not because of the location on planet earth they happen to live. Yet in this Country, may people consider themselves Americans first and Christians second. We identify ourselves by our Country rather than our Creator. It is why we are able to separate out what we learn on Sunday from what we do on Monday.
The Bible tells us that we are sojourners and pilgrims on this planet. That earth is not our home. How different would our lives look and our decisions be if we gave our faith the proper place that the first church gave their faith? If every choice we made were based upon the reality that we are believers in Jesus Christ, perhaps we could make the kind of impact on our world that the first church made on theirs.
Today, I need to consider my Christianity “steadfastly.” I need to grab hold of the truth that Jesus is not just my religious choice, but He is my very identity. I need to live as a Christian who lays down her life, not as an American, who is all about getting ahead in life.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:5-8)
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