Busy Doing the Lord's Work

When you receive the greatest gift you could have ever wanted, namely eternal life with Jesus, what do you do with it? Do you just sit on your haunches and wait for Jesus to return, or do you get busy living your lif as if nothing happened, or do you get busy doing the Lord's business? The early church, as we shall see, was busy doing the Lord's business and their example gives us many clues as to how to conduct our own lives in the 21^st century.

Acts 2:46-47

⁴⁶And day by day, attending the temple together andbreaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

⁴⁷praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Now we are given a personal look into the daily lives of the 3,000 members of the first Christian church. Every day they attended the Jewish temple together. I thought this was quite curious, as they all knew that the old things were passed away; they had a new life in Jesus! Why go back to the old ways? Then I read a bit of John Calvin's explanation. He points out that they frequented the temple so they would have an opportunity to witness their newfound faith to the Jewish people. So they were not going for themselves, for their spiritual edification, but as a missionary opportunity!

We should never pass up any opportunity that the Lord provides for us to talk about Him. Whether you are going to a restaurant or buying groceries, there are people who need to know Jesus as Savior. I believe He places us in many uncomfortable situations just so we can share our faith. Let's not be unmindful of such occasions.

At Home with the Savior

Then we are told that, in addition to attending the temple for the purpose of sharing Christ with a lost and dying world, the early church members broke bread in their homes. Whereas some feel that this means that they were having communion in their homes, which served as house churches, I would rather side with Calvin again. These Christians ate their meals together, and did so with hearts full of joy and gladness.

The people had put themselves and their individual desires aside for the greater good of the community. They had common beliefs and common goals, foremost of which was evangelization of their town. Others took notice, too, for the verse then says that these early Christians enjoyed favor with all. Jesus said that greater love has no one than this, that he should lay down his life for another (John 15:13). Doing so requires a great selflessness that draws other people to you.

The final part of today's verse shows the ultimate result of the obedience of these early believers: the Lord saved people daily and bought them into the fold. Note here that the believers did not save anyone; it was the Lord only. He alone has the power to change a wayward heart. He alone can mend us when we are broken in spirit. All He requires of us is simple obedience to His commands to love the Lord our God and our neighbor as ourselves. Everything else will flow from there.