I was reading the Gospel this morning, and I came across some interesting thoughts. I read multiple scriptures where Jesus commanded and commissioned His disciples to do certain things. I was saying to myself, man, the apostles definitely went all out for Jesus. All of His followers did. He sent out the 12, and He told them to do certain things. Then, 70 were added and sent out. Then, in Acts a ton more were saved and sent out to do the same thing. It made me think. These people were doing something that must have worked quite well when it came to bringing down the Kingdom of Heaven. People were joining the body of Christ left and right. What exactly were these Christ followers doing? What were they doing that we arent? So, I decided to ask God. He responded, They did what Jesus said. I was like, what does that even mean? I do what Jesus says! And then I read more. I figured out something - I dont do what Jesus said. And neither does almost every other Christian on the planet. If you want to be slightly convicted of the truth, then keep reading. Im going to go ahead and be radical here: What if Jesus actually wanted all Christians to live like He did with His disciples by His side? What if He wasnt saying what we act like He said in the scripture: Alright disciples. You guys obey my commands hardcore and do everything that I have showed you. That way, in about 2000 years my followers can relax and say that my commands were only important during the time that I was on the Earth. They dont have to do the same stuff as you guys. The culture will be different by that time! According to scripture they did not carry money around. As a matter of fact, they hardly had any belongings. They may have had homes conservatively speaking. But, according to the way the followers lived in Acts, it truly did appear to be a sell everything situation. They literally sold everything and distributed all that they had. Politically speaking, they were living a socialistic lifestyle. No one earned their own and supported themselves through workin hard and puttin their back into it! Everyone put together their belongings, sold them, and then shared everything. They gave to the needy, who did not work for it at all. They shared. It was love, and grace. Giving to those who didnt deserve anything; its part of Gods character. If we want to be like the early church, socialist society looks the most like it. They quite literally sold everything they had and gave it to everyone who had need. They were all in. It appears that they simply decided to take Jesus commands seriously. They could have said: oh, its just another parable, or a metaphor to freak the pharisees out. But, they didnt. They did what He said. The only difference between socialist ideals and the early church was that the early church didnt need the government to force them to do what Jesus said; like we apparently do. How awkward is this? Why is the government trying to force Christians and humans to give away more of their money and belongings to the needy? Why arent we selling everything we have to make the needy into the not-needy before the government has a chance to make us do it? The government wouldnt be trying to force the distribution of wealth if the wealth was already distributed; like Jesus commanded. Even more so, Im confused to why it appears that the majority of people who dislike socialistic ideals are Christians. Its true that a socialists society wouldnt work if the government suddenly forced it. The economy would simply fail. But what if we did what Jesus said, and it was a natural process? Literally, what Jesus had the early church doing was socialist values, minus government involvement. Because the people wanted to do it themselves. Either the government is going to take care of the needy, or the people will. Im just like anyone else that doesnt want to be forced to hand out my money to everyone. I dont want to have laws making me give away what I earn. But, if the money is being distributed out anyways, then what are we so upset about? That we arent getting credit for giving the people the money, but rather the government is? Do we need praise in order to do the right thing? Why dont we just do it? Why dont we cease worrying about the government so extensively and begin supporting the people in need ourselves? The whole reason that socialistic politics exist is because the church isnt doing its job. Socialism is literally the government attempting to do by force what the church should have already been doing since Jesus commanded it. It is aggravating to me that the government is doing what the church is failing to do. Why arent we doing what the church did in Acts 2:42-47. Is that too radical? Does it require too much faith in God to truly provide for us? Lets consider this question: What would happen if EVERY person who called themselves Christian actually lived like Jesus called them to? What would happen if we literally sold all we had and gave it out to those who had need? Im willing to say that the hypocrite stereotype would be eliminated quickly. As a matter fact, I believe a vast majority of the planet would be converted to Jesus followers in a disturbingly short period of time. Why do we think that the early church was in favor and good will with all the people as it says in Acts 47? I guarantee people were saying: These guys are literally selling everything they own and sacrificing all that they have in order to help everyone else. What do they believe? Who is their God? I cannot dislike them. I cant dislike a group of people that lives so selflessly for the good of mankind. Their God must be the one true God whoever He is. No one does what these people are doing. No one. It only sounds crazy because of how loving it truly is. No one would ever sell everything the have and truly do what Jesus said unless they had an unreal faith. The world would be changed. What would happen if we ACTUALLY did what Jesus said? Our excuse is: that was a different time period. The culture was different. Jesus was only talking to those disciples right in front of Him. That is literally the only excuse we have. We might as well say, Jesus didnt expect us to follow Him as extensively as all of those people 2000 years ago. Since He was teaching them face to face they were supposed to do different stuff. I cant think of an honest reason why we arent living the same way that the early church did. I wonder what Jesus is saying every time we act like His commands to His followers are radical. Before you brush what I wrote off like it is an immature thought; truly, ask God what He thinks about it. Ask Jesus if He was serious about His commands. Imagine Jesus walked up to you and said, Im just curious. Why dont you obey my commands that are in more than one book of the bible? How would you respond? No wonder they were in the favor of all the people. No wonder everyone loved them. No wonder they had people being saved on the daily. How could they not? They were living their lives for the joy of others. They were laying down their lives in order to reveal the Kingdom of Heaven to those around them. They were being Jesus to the world - just as Jesus had taught them. I hope no one is offended. Im just pointing out what Jesus said. and they were continuing stedfastly in the teaching of the apostles, and the fellowship, and the breaking of the bread, and the prayers. And fear came on every soul, many wonders also and signs were being done through the apostles, and all those believing were at the same place, and had all things common, and the possessions and the goods they were selling, and were parting them to all, according as any one had need. Daily also continuing with one accord in the temple, breaking also at every house bread, they were partaking of food in gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people, and the Lord was adding those being saved every day to the assembly. (Acts 2:42-47 YLT98) THEN JESUS called together the Twelve [apostles] and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases, And He sent them out to announce and preach the kingdom of God and to bring healing. And He said to them, Do not take anything for your journey–neither walking stick, nor wallet [for a collection bag], nor food of any kind, nor money, and do not have two undergarments (tunics). (Luke 9:1-3 AMP) And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people. So the report of Him spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all who were sick, those afflicted with various diseases and torments, those under the power of demons, and epileptics, and paralyzed people, and He healed them. (Matthew 4:23, 24 AMP) And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand! Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give. Take no gold nor silver nor [even] copper money in your purses (belts); And do not take a provision bag or a wallet for a collection bag for your journey, nor two undergarments, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the workman deserves his support (his living, his food). (Matthew 10:7-10 AMP) After this, the Lord appointed 70 others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself was about to go. He told them: “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Now go; I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves. Don’t carry a money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals; don’t greet anyone along the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Don’t be moving from house to house. When you enter any town, and they welcome you, eat the things set before you. Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near you.’ (Luke 10:1-9 HCSB)
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 11:55:36 +0000
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