“As long as our churches are places where we struggle to sustain an hour or two of public worship per week, with ‘real life’ only minimally affected by it, we will be like a bunch of vaguely religious cows in a field, mooing on Sunday mornings and chewing the cud the rest of the time. But if we really worked at trying to be for our world what the apostles were for their Jewish world, things might change!” Quoted from Acts, a Bible study by N. T. Wright.
I was convicted by this statement during my Bible study recently. I live on a farm inhabited by a herd of cows. And yes, they look very peaceful lying out there chewing their cuds. Are Christians called to lie around looking peaceful?
The early church was a busy church. True, the apostles were performing signs and wonders among the people, which made for exciting news. This power was given to validate the apostle’s teaching. The apostles had witnessed the resurrected Christ and they were convinced that everyone needed to hear the good news of the gospel. But it wasn’t just the apostles who were telling the good news. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Every day the Christians met together, ate together, shared with those in need, and praised God through it all. I have to ask myself, “Do I praise God in living my life? Do others know I serve the risen Lord? Do I pray for those who need Jesus?”
I don’t think we act very excited about our faith sometimes. Does Jesus go with us to the grocery store or the doctor’s office? Do we name Jesus in our conversations? Do our words and actions reveal the fruit of the Spirit? Do I speak the truth, in love, even when I know it goes against other’s beliefs?
Paul and Barnabas spoke the truth when they were faced with the crowd of worshipers of false gods. In Acts 14 they proclaimed, “We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them”(verse 15). They suffered for this proclamation and had to leave for a different place, but they boldly spoke the truth.
It seems we may be coming to the place (or already there) where people do not want to hear the truth. Will we back down or continue to proclaim Jesus as Lord? Our hope is in the Lord. Let’s pray for courage to stand up for truth. We do not have the option of lying around chewing our cuds!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:13).
Wow! Perfect encouragement for today as ever.
And my study was in James…”Be ye doers of the Word…”
Messages are so clear, aren’t they?
Blessings to you and yours and where you are. Many thanks.
I love the book of James even though he steps on my toes. Thanks for reading the blog.
As I am approach my 74 birthday I sometimes think isn’t time to let the others carry the ball and l am just going to sit and relax. Yesterday l remembered the song wherever He leads l will go. I do not think I can do that in my rocker. I need to let Jesus shine through me so they want to let Him shine through them.
It is tempting to “sit in my rocker” but you are right. That is not what we are called to do. Thanks for your comment.