Selwyn continues his analysis of the Early Church’s unswerving allegiance to Christ and His eternal kingdom.
‘If there is one thing that is becoming clear as we examine this last distinctive of the Early Church, it is this: the believers of that day were ultimately guided and controlled not by the laws and principles of the society in which they lived, but by the laws of a higher kingdom. …
The death (by supernatural means)Â of Ananias and Sapphira produced in the community a sense that the Church was a society in which a remarkable power and presence was at work – so much so that those who might have linked themselves to the Church out of impure motives perceived that this was a movement which soon flushed out the disingenuous and the dishonest. How different things would be if this were the case today.’
I think that there are many people like Ananias and Sapphira in today’s Church who sin in the same way as they did - it’s only by God’s grace that thousand - don’t just drop dead – but, the sadness is that they will one day be judged – with the same justice and the same ‘permanent’ result. Do you agree?
Today’s prayer is good: ‘O Father, help Your Church today to march to the beat of heaven’s music, and not to be influenced by the ideas of the world. May we seek first the kingdom of God … and let all other things become secondary. In Christ’s name we ask it. Amen.’
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A different drum
Selwyn continues his analysis of the Early Church’s unswerving allegiance to Christ and His eternal kingdom.
‘If there is one thing that is becoming clear as we examine this last distinctive of the Early Church, it is this: the believers of that day were ultimately guided and controlled not by the laws and principles of the society in which they lived, but by the laws of a higher kingdom. …
The death (by supernatural means)Â of Ananias and Sapphira produced in the community a sense that the Church was a society in which a remarkable power and presence was at work – so much so that those who might have linked themselves to the Church out of impure motives perceived that this was a movement which soon flushed out the disingenuous and the dishonest. How different things would be if this were the case today.’
I think that there are many people like Ananias and Sapphira in today’s Church who sin in the same way as they did - it’s only by God’s grace that thousand - don’t just drop dead – but, the sadness is that they will one day be judged – with the same justice and the same ‘permanent’ result. Do you agree?
Today’s prayer is good: ‘O Father, help Your Church today to march to the beat of heaven’s music, and not to be influenced by the ideas of the world. May we seek first the kingdom of God … and let all other things become secondary. In Christ’s name we ask it. Amen.’
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