What Comes Out

This morning I was reading Acts 8 and noticing what came out of the followers of Christ when the pressure bore down.

It’s always apt when the things you study in scripture have a bearing on what you will subsequently experience.

The test is always there to determine what is in each of us. When things don’t go the way they should, or we would like, what motivates how we respond? Whatever is in us will emerge as time goes by. For some the desire to gossip and do little constructive takes effect. The opportunity to point fingers is too tempting to resist and people get hurt in the crossfire.

For some the desire to completely whitewash an affair comes to the fore. The overwhelming preference to not ruffle feathers and unnecessarily evoke confrontations and challenges seeks a much quieter way.

Both responses express what is going on inside. Both responses show a reliance on self and not the leading of the same Spirit that motivated believers to share the gospel in word and deed as they fled persecution.

Some things need to be exposed in the body of Christ and dealt with – lovingly, of course, and with certainty. Peter was not tolerating any of Simon the sorcerer’s schemes to ‘buy’ the ability to confer the Holy Spirit on others. Just as in chapter five he wasn’t having it when Ananias and Sapphira endeavoured to pull a fast one on the saints with their ‘gift’ to the church. If foolishness and mayhem is taking place, it needs to be addressed.

Likewise, if we are to be the family God wants us to be, we will have to learn to talk with each other when conflicts rise. We have to depend on the Spirit of God to allow us to be able to not let things pass, but truly seek what makes for peace among ourselves. That might call for some harsh truths, but these must not be sharp points that prevent togetherness, these need to be points of understanding as we work to reinforcing and renewing togetherness.

For some of us that’s hard to take. That’s hard work, to be that assertive in relational matters. That’s tough. It’s tough and it’s necessary as we work towards reflecting the peace of God among His family.

It’s processes like this that should lead some of us to ask God to change what is inside of us, so that when the pressure comes, what comes out will be what pleases Him, rather than what brings self-satisfaction.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden