Great Fear

Acts 5:11

And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

 

In Acts 4 the church is described as being of one heart and soul with personal ownership being replaced by community ownership. The apostles had great power in their preaching and great grace was upon them all. Grace to give and to live! What a time to be part of the church! Disciples were selling all that they had and laying the proceeds at the apostles' feet so that there was no one needy among them.

 

Into this purity and commitment walked Ananias and his wife Sapphira who wanted to be part of the group, but were not willing to be all in. Their hearts were in a different place than the other disciples. Thinking that it was enough to appear committed, they sold a field but kept back part of the proceeds for themselves. As Ananias stood before the apostles and laid the proceeds at the apostles feet, he was not met with praise but with a very pointed question. Why has Satan filled  your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? What could he possibly say? His true heart and motives were revealed. He had lied to God and not to man. He fell down dead. Great fear came upon the church! For sure! I imagine everyone was examining their hearts. Where there is great power, there must be great commitment and great purity!

 

Following suit and a few hours later, Sapphira appeared. Peter said, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much. She replied with a simple yes. How is it you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well. Immediately, she fell down dead. Great fear not only came upon all who were there, but on all who heard. This was not a church of pretense, but one of truth, purity, and power. The Spirit of God was here in great measure!

 

This church today is vastly different from the church in Acts. Where is the power and grace? Where is the commitment of hearts to be all in? Even though many people are not lying about their choices, it is not because the standard of commitment is high, but because the standard of commitment is so low. Many believers only give God the bare minimum of their time and their money. Perhaps that is why the fervent work of the Spirit is so blunted. Where is my heart? What is my level of commitment?

 

Father,

Show me what You see in my heart. Reveal to me the sin and self that dulls my responses. Thank You for such great grace and power in the Spirit, the same Spirit who lives within me.

In Jesus name,

Amen