United As One Holy Priesthood In Christ

Psalm 133:1-3 KJV

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Baptism in the Huron River, Michigan

Acts 2:38-47

  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

As the Holy Spirit came upon him on that day of Pentecost, Peter and the rest of the apostles proclaimed the Good News that the promise of forgiveness for people far and near had come through Jesus Christ. Peter warned them to save themselves from the corrupt generation. The multitude heard all of this. Many received the good news of salvation through Jesus and repented of their sins. 3000 were baptized that day.

I have said it myself, even as I have heard it thousands of times: "Change doesn't happen over night." Yet, these 3000 changed in one day. They believed and their lives were turned around. They wanted to lead a new life in Christ. And, so they did... They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. They were filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They met together daily, breaking bread together, praising God, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

If we are going to try to change ourselves, without the help of God, it indeed may take a very long time and it may never happen. But, with the help of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be changed even in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Repent and live life as a member of the family of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Helping Or Enabling?

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Gal 6:7-9 NIV

I remember hearing a pastor preach on doing good, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. I could not believe my ears! I thought that maybe he was making it up. How, as a Christian, could one show this kind of partiality, I wondered. So, I looked it up and there it was.

As the years have passed, I have come to understand this a whole lot better. Scripture does not say that we shouldn't help those outside of the family of believers. We should. But, I have also learned over the years that sometimes we can spend so much time and energy helping those whose only goal is to please their flesh; that, we have no time to build up the members of the Body of Christ who may be truly in need. There is sometimes a rather fine line between helping someone and enabling them to continue in their sinful pursuit of the flesh to their destruction. We ought to be careful not to be enabling those who have no love for God or others in their lives; rather, we ought to help those who are concerned about their eternal life and are truly in need.

I know... Much of the world thinks that Christians should be some kind of door mats and are here only to be taken advantage of. Jesus did not appear to think so. In the sermon on the mount he warns us: "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." Matt 7:5-7

This does not mean that we should not help everyone in need. We just ought to be careful that we are actually helping and not aiding anyone on the path to their destruction.

May God grant us the discernment to know whom He would have us help and who it is that is truly in need; to discern when our help is truly help and when it might lead to another's destruction.

God's Peace - Pr. J.