Reflection: 24 to 30 Jan 2011
How time flies! We have come to the end of our first month of Bible reading for 2011. I hope you have gained a lot from reading the Bible regularly and have had some experiences of God’s Word in your life.
Somehow reading about the early church over the last week seemed quite apt for me. Last Sabbath, I was in a True Jesus Church in another part of the world. And despite being so far away from home, the oneness of the church, the fellowship I enjoyed – both spiritual and physical, the breaking of bread (ok… it was more the slicing of bun by the preacher’s wife for the hamburger lunch for me – the very first act of welcome for me when I reached church), the worship together and the long prayers in one accord… it made me think that indeed we are so blessed to be in the house of the Lord.
The stand out verse for me was in Acts 4:32 ~ “All believers were one in heart and mind…” (NIV).
Are we there yet? As a church today?
I would like to think so but I know deep in my heart, we are still divided by our petty prejudices, partiality and pride. There is some way for us to go to be like the earliest Christians in being in one accord.
But I do know many are trying. And I am trying. And the thing about being in one heart and mind… we need each other to do it. Coupled with lots and lots of prayer and the reading of His Word.
Blessed Sabbath all!
2 Comments
Treasureinearthenvessel
During youth service today, the sermon was about having a new direction. And the speaker mentioned that as a church, although we may be scattered every where, our direction ought to be the same. Our compasses should be pointing towards where God is and we should all be heading that way.
This reminded me of something which I think I have shared here before (which was shared with me by a dear sister).
God is not asking for uniformity; He is asking for unity.
I guess being one in heart and mind can be thought of this way. We may not totally agree with each other all the time. We may not even see eye to eye in most things. But as long as our direction is the same, then we are moving together, and the Church can then progress. 🙂
Love&Respect
Thank you both so much for your sharings! 🙂
“God is not asking for uniformity; He is asking for unity.”
How true! I believe that this is also one of the reasons why God made man to live together in family units – sometimes family members may have very different personalities but living together in a family unit gives us the opportunity to learn to accept each other, establish common family values and support each other.