by Scott H. Northrup
It is hard to disagree that we are living in difficult times. It seems that our nation is more fragmented and polarized than ever. We are under constant threat of attack from without and within. There is a flagrant disregard for basic decency and law. How is it that we survive and continue to flourish in times like these?
The times were difficult for the early Christians as well, and yet Act 2:46-47 reports that "day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."
I believe that these verses are a prescription for our survival and growth as the people of God. It describes a lifestyle for the well-being of our families, our neighborhoods.
First of all they were worshipping together in one mind in the temple, the house of worship. But the corporate assembly was not the whole picture of their health by any means. It goes on to say they were breaking bread from house to house, taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart... In other words, what they did together outside the "church walls" was a vital part of daily life.
I believe that if we are to overcome the adversity of the days ahead we will have to be ever more diligent to establish and live as part of caring networks of friends. But friendships do not grow on trees. We must intentionally cultivate friendships by unselfish acts of giving and sharing. (see Acts 2:45). We need to take care of each other.
Because of the rush we are in, our lifestyles are totally out of balance for creating these kinds of caring networks in the Body of Christ. We are becoming more fractionated from others by preoccupation with televised entertainment, living vicariously through fictional characters. We're too busy to stop and talk to the lady next door or call a friend in need because our favorite show is about to come on, and we have to get our bowl of chips and dip and be in front of the TV set. It has successfully commanded our lives and set our agendas.
I am the first to admit that it takes a major effort to reach out to others. But it will be worth it all, when we see a lost and dying world come to our doorsteps wanting to get in on the communion of the saints. We are a long way from that standard right now. But if we will reestablish this model of the Body of Christ, we'll get the same results they saw in the early days, in which they were "having favor with all the people...the Lord adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."
@ copyright 2004 by Scott H. Northrup. All rights reserved.