2002-01-01
Good Morning Fellow Believers,
God leads me to continue writing about the oneness of the our covenant relationship with Him. The subject of koininea (that very special, supernatural bond that exists between oneself, fellow believers, and God) is one that I’ve written about before. But, it surely doesn’t hurt to return to it often viewing it from different contexts. God has much light to shed on this. As a part of the covenant relationship, we have certain responsibilities to God and to each other. This is nothing that should put us off of making commitments, because we have also been equipped by God to carry out these responsibilities. Let’s look at some citations from the Scriptures that allow us to understand this concept better.
AC 2: 38-39 is a part of the speech that Peter gave following the Pentecost. “Peter said to them, ‘Each one of you must turn away from his sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God’s gift, the Holy Spirit. For God’s promise was made to you and your children, and to all who are far away-all whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.’” We know and believe that FAITH + NOTHING = SALVATION. We also know how crucial repentance of sins is. However, we may not realize that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (since it can’t be seen with the eyes) is critical too. That is because, it is the Holy Spirit which allows us to have an understanding of God’s teachings, a continuing hunger for them, and the courage to live a life “in Christ” against the challenges presented by the adversary. What follows in AC 2: 40-42, describes the pressing reason for making this commitment and how the people of the early church were instructed to begin their lives in koininea. “Peter made his appeal to them and with many other words he urged them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from the punishment coming on this wicked people!’ Many of them believed his message and were baptized, about three thousand people. They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers.” It strikes me that if people are living in koininea, they are no longer alone, trying to carve out their lives without direction and emotional support from others who share their faith. Those without faith would call this using one’s faith as a “crutch” to overcome their inherent weakness. That’s the world’s view of things. I would call this wonderful, loving relationship as a strength leading to eternal life. One interesting side light to AC 2: 41. Three thousand people was the same number as God ordered the Levites to kill in EX 32: 28 as a result of their faithlessness in the golden bull incident at the base of Mt. Sinai. It seems that God (Whose sense of time is nothing like ours) was replacing them with believers at the time of the Pentecost.
AC 2: 43-45 describes life among the believers of the very early church. “Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed.” Please understand that I am not suggesting that we take things exactly this way in our modern lives. Remember that these people were surely young in the faith, and that the important message of this passage is that enthusiasm that God had given them. This early experiment in socialism failed, because of human nature, not because of anything being wrong with God. Even though those early believers in Jerusalem became impoverished, other believers in Macedonia and Achaia willingly gave their money for Paul to bring back to help them [RO 15: 26]. We can look upon these first attempts at living a koininea relationship, valuing them for the faith they encouraged and for what God did for the people who approached it with pure hearts. AC 4: 33-35, “With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all. There was no one in the group who was in need. Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, and turn it over to the apostles; and the money was distributed.”
Our limitations of human perception make it difficult for us to understand that bad things that happen can be used for God’s glory. Such was the case of the eventual poverty that was caused in Jerusalem by the failure of this early experiment in socialism. 2 COR 8:1-4, 13-15, “Our brothers, we want you to know what God’s grace has accomplished in the churches in Macedonia. They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even through they are very poor. I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God’s people in Judea…I am not trying to relieve others by putting a burden on you; but since you have plenty at this time, it is only fair that you should help those who are in need. Then, when you are in need and they have plenty, they will help you. In this way both are treated equally. As the Scripture [EX 16: 18] says, ‘The one who gathered much did not have too much and the one who gathered little did not have too little.’” The giving of alms for the needy is a basic tenet of Judaism, just as it is of Christianity. These stories reveal God’s will that we should love and care for fellow believers in Him as a part of keeping our covenant agreements. We need to remember that there is great joy in giving too, just as there is comfort in receiving when in need.
PRAYER: O Lord, too many of the world’s people do not know the joy and comfort that can be had in living in a koininea relationship. They do not know that there is joy in knowing that helping others in need to get their lives back on Your track brings such solace. Nor, do they understand how wonderful it is when need visits their lives to have others willing to help them. You never created us to live our lives as “lone rangers,” cast adrift to manage all the challenges to our faith crafted by the adversary alone. Instead, out of Your love and wisdom, You have brought us into congregations to care for and about each other’s needs. Our perception is so limited that it isn’t always possible to see that what we view as trouble sometimes happens to reveal Your glory. Without the poverty of the early church in Judah, the Macedonians and the Achaians gratitude would have never been known and acted upon in such a practical way. It is because of these limitations in our perception that it is critical that we acknowledge Your righteousness and place our faithful trust in You. That way, we can always take comfort in knowing that You are there for us, and we are there for You and all our fellow believers. The righteousness Your Son models for us can be carried over toward those who are potential believers as well. Throughout history, the kindness of faithful people along with the Holy Spirit have brought others to faith. None of this would have been possible without the great love You have for us. Thus, we offer You our adoration, worship, loyalty, diligence, trust, obedience, glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving. In Christ’s name, amen.
Part of the koininea relationship that is the oneness of covenant is sometimes the sharing of names and friendship. This will be the subject of tomorrow’s message. How comforting that we don’t have to face life’s challenges alone! That is such a blessing that God, out of His love for us, gives us. The talents He gives us to equip us for His work are also another manifestation of that love. Those of us who are good parents get to see our children being raised to be responsible, happy, and faithful adults. Those of us who teach well get to see their students maturing, becoming more capable of independence, and achieve more God-led mastery over their lives. Those who are faithful pastors get to see the increase of spiritual maturity in their congregations. Those who are able to help others in need can know the peace it brings to know that their resources are going to good use. Those that have the gift of healing know that their efforts make life more livable for mankind. The list of blessings God gives us is endless. All of this comes out of his love for us. None of us is more important to Him or to each other than another. This is God’s love. Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn