Acts 9:10-19 The Conversion of Saul - Part II

For Saul to become the Paul we know today, it was necessary to have an Ananias. He was a disciple and he lived in Damascus. He was at the right place at the right time. Nonetheless, it was necessary for him to hear God and obey him.  The Lord spoke to him and gave him the address where he could find Saul to lay hands and pray for him to receive his sight. Ananias was afraid because Saul's reputation as one who persecuted believers was wide spread, but the Lord convinced him by revealing his purposes with Saul. Ananias obeyed and played a very significant role in the integration of Saul in the Christian community. I want to be like Ananias - a true disciple who is always at the right place at the right time, ready to hear from God, ready to obey, ready to serve, and willing to take risks for sake of the kingdom.

God had chosen Saul to be an instrument in his hands and he chose to intertwine the lives of Ananias and Saul at this juncture in their lives. The interdependence of believers to achieve God's purposes is so evident. God could have healed Saul's blindness through an angel. He could have given him all he needed without human intervention, but he made the paths of these people collide for his glory. I praise the Lord for the people in my life. I would not be the person I am today if it were not for the people God has placed in my path to prepare me, and work with me in the kingdom. I can't live the Gospel alone, God wants me to be in interdependence with brothers and sisters to have a synergy that helps me accomplish so much more in a team than by myself.

Now, here is a shocking statement out of God's mouth: "I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." God has revealed to Ananias that Saul will suffer greatly as a servant of the kingdom. No one likes to suffer, but suffering is not evil. Through suffering our salvation was worked out. Suffering has a redeeming effect upon those who experience it. It is a schooling appreciated only in hindsight and never while living it. I think it is ironic that Saul, who made many Christians suffer, would be allowed to suffer more than most by Christ himself. My view of suffering should not be gloom and doom. I should view it as a learning experience that helps me understand things I could not understand before suffering.

God chose Saul to carry the name of Jesus before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. His suffering in the kingdom would be for the sake of Jesus' name. All for Jesus. No one else and nothing else. Saul was to be sold out to Jesus to serve him and suffer while doing so with joy. It is easy to forget why I serve in the kingdom. It is not for myself. It is not to gain fame or money - certainly not money! It is not to serve my ego and please my fancy. It is to carry the name of Jesus everywhere! It is to be willing to suffer for that purpose and enjoy the journey.

Father, I am your servant. Make me a instrument in your hands like Ananias and Saul. May I be ready to hear your voice, ready to obey it, willing to suffer if necessary to serve you. May suffering never deter me from giving my all to serve you. Amen.

Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is evidence that the early disciples were not living under a communist-like arrangement, but they were required to live in community. Remember, unity is God-given defining purpose. A common purpose brings people together to work towards a common goal, fellowship. And community takes place when people share their life and possessions while they fellowship. Genuine community happens in an environment filled with honesty and free from pretensions.

When community begins to take place, the enemy will not waste time to try to spoil it. The enemy filled Ananias heart to lie about the sale of his property. He sold it for a certain amount from which he kept back some for himself. The sin is not that he kept back some money from the price because as Peter points out, it was his property to begin with and he had the right to do whatever he wanted with it. Even the selling of the property was a voluntary act. But he lied about the full price of the property to make it seem that both him and his wife were offering the full price of the property to the community. It seems that a certain Christian status was achieved if one gave "everything." And Ananias and Sapphira desired that status to the point of lying for it.

Unfortunately, both husband and wife plotted together to pretend that they were giving the full amount of the sale to the community. They both paid with their lives. It was important for the early Christian community to realize that distrust brings disunity. Community cannot survive it. It is for this reason that God acts with discipline against his displeasure. He makes this couple an example of how important it is to live in obedience to him and honestly with one another, without pretensions, without tainted motives. Community requires integrity from its members and God is displeased beyond measure when it is jeopardized.

I want to live the fullness of the Christian life. This fullness is only possible in community. God grants me a unity that gives me purpose. I come together with my brothers and sisters and fellowship as I work towards the common goal of worldwide evangelization. And community is developed as I share my life and my possessions with others openly and honestly without deceptions or pretensions. Christian Community is that important to my God that he was willing to execute his judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira to make them examples of the consequences of messing with its integrity. I must realize that anything that stands in the way of true community is ultimately, the work of the enemy among God's people.

Father, teach me to live in community. Help me become more transparent and honest. Help me grow in my giving and caring. May I learn to share openly who I am and what I have for your honor and glory. Amen.