Tuesday, May 22, 2012

True Community

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. (Acts 4:32 NLT)

Have you ever been to a church where you felt that all the believers were truly united in heart and mind? What would it look like practically? What implications would it have socially, financially, and what effect would it bear on the city or town that surrounded that church?

For the believers in the book of Acts the first thing it impacted was their possessions and what they owned. In essence they became selfless. It started with a recognition that what they owned did not belong to them, but too God. They shared everything they had. Wow...this is truly profound and mind boggling to our American church culture. Not only did they share what they had, but they sold houses, property and gave ALL the money away to those in need. No one in their midst lacked, there was true equality. This my friends is not Communism, but True Community.

There is a longing in the heart of every man and woman to be a part of something, to fit in. There is a desire to be recognized and appreciated. We all have a need to be loved and give love. Genuine, sincere, without hypocrisy kind of agape love. When believers are united in heart and mind it changes everything. They are united with their hearts (give love) and united with their minds(how they practically demonstrate that love). When this happens there is not much room for the enemy to come in and cause dissension. It is when a church is already divided that the enemy comes in and causes greater division and takes advantage of their weakness. There is strength in numbers right? Well let me tell you there is strength in numbers that are united with one heart and one mind.

Whatever body you are a part of strive to be united in heart and mind with your brothers and sisters in Christ. It is hard work, but diligence pays off. Don't give up in this pursuit. Encourage others not too give up either. Be blessed in order to be a blessing.







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