What A Fellowship: Flaws

Fellowship with the saints and with God is a wonderful thing. The Lord Jesus loves that so much and loves that sweet communion that He’s doing what it takes to present before Himself a Bride who is flawless.

Our experience of fellowship is not always perfect, though.

There are pictures of beautiful and harmonious fellowship in scripture. One place in particular is the beginning of the book of Acts. The sense of unity among the saints is something to behold and as the day of Pentecost happens and the thousands dedicate themselves to the apostles’ teaching and sharing whatever they have, it’s a joyous thought to take in. Even after an effort of external pressure following a healing, this picture of sweet fellowship is only enhanced.

It’s going so well …

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5:1-2

What’s the problem with that? The problem is in the deceit that the couple tried to pull off with the community of grace through a claim of giving their all, when actually they kept back some for themselves. They were looking to pull a fast one on the community, but they did not appreciate that it was far more serious than that. Peter zoned in on the problem in his assessment

Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.

Acts 5:3-4

Satan filled the heart to lie. While it wasn’t sold, they could do what they wanted with it – no obligation to sell. Once they sold it, the money was totally theirs to do with what they wanted – no obligation to give all of it. Yet the effort was still made to appear as something that was not the case. And the one they’ve sinned against or looked to fool is not the community – it’s the God of the community.

Lies. Deceit. Why had Ananias and his wife gone about that act? What could have motivated them? Pride? A desire to look like those who are contributing funds to the cause would make them look good. Even as previously a man called Joseph had received a cherished nickname by the apostles – Barnabas – because of his wholehearted generosity. Maybe Ananias and Sapphira saw a way into popularity at their act of piety whilst still being able to enjoy some of the proceeds for themselves.

Their motives were satanic at heart and that expression wasn’t about anything ghoulish or graphically horrific – it was the desire to deceive. It was the desire to look good to others and keep something for themselves without anyone knowing. It is to give the impression that a display of selfless acts can cover selfish desires.

What does that have to do with fellowship? More than appears on the surface.

The desired expression of godly fellowship is about sincere giving for the benefit of others. Not doing it for prestige, prominence or popularity. Doing it with the heart to see the needs of others met. That’s the desired expression of the fellowship among people that reflects the God who rescued us from sin to this brand new community.

That is the desire expression, but it’s not to say it will always happen and always be possible. What is expected, however, is truthfulness about it. The pride-filled yearning to appear like others corrupts the fellowship. The effort to go as far as looking to deceive the community with acts of piety that don’t reveal what’s really going on pollutes the community. It matters to God.

It is the heart of God to see the needs of His people met. So it’s no surprise that a quality of God’s people is to give from the heart to the needs of others and support however they can from a place of purity and truth. There is no pressure or room for putting on airs and graces – essentially falsehoods – to get by in God’s kind of fellowship.

Why it’s a big deal to God is that acts of pride, deception and falsehoods is a disrespect to Him. He takes it that seriously.

Our challenge today, though, is do we perpetuate an atmosphere were such deceptions and falsehoods are accepted as the norm? The desire to keep up with the appearance of others whilst keeping ourselves satiated – does that persist in the fellowship? Are other expressions of pride accepted and tolerated in the fellowship? These flaws in the fellowship may not always lead to the fatal consequences that Ananias and Sapphira suffered, but it is no less a smear on the fellowship God desires.

The fate of Ananias and Sapphira spurred the church to an even greater fear and reverence for God. There was that sense in which God still desired righteousness in the community and if people had lapsed into complacency thinking that issues could just slide this was the wake up call needed to address flaws in the fellowship.

We read these episodes in the life of the early church in the hope that we will learn. We read them with due sombre reflection that we will address the flaws in the fellowship as when they emerge. However they need to be dealt with – taking the necessary action to address them. In doing so cooperating with the Lord Jesus Christ who is preparing a Bride for Himself who will be without spot or blemish – she will be flawless.

What a fellowship!

(Photo by Cynthia Magana on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden