A concerning trend is taking over many large churches, that busyness equates to godliness. Creating a “program for everyone” is the model used everywhere right now, but it isn’t found in the early church of Acts. Programs in and of themselves aren’t wrong, but what we’ve given up in exchange is where our loss resides.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and the breaking of bread, and prayer. They sold their property and possessions to give to anyone who had a need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” (Acts 2:42, 45, 46)
All the programs out there can’t take the place of true fellowship with others that are excited to learn of His word and His promises. They met daily to encourage each other in their walk and to make sure each other’s needs were met.
We have a loneliness problem in our technologically-minded world; people lack connection, even in the church.
In Revelation 3, we read of the Church of Laodicea. They were quite proud of who they had become as a church… “You say, ‘I am rich, I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17). Who they thought they were and who God thought they were, was completely opposite. He urged them, “To be earnest and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him and he with Me” (vs. 19,20).
Take note, that Jesus was “outside the door” of the church. Isn’t it strange to think they were so busy and seemingly “prosperous” without Him? Many are…
Friends, may we be sure to do life God’s way, it’s always better than our way. And above all, let’s make sure He’s at the center of all we do.
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