If only we ‘Christians’ would be who we’ve been called to be, we won’t need to do much talking before those that have not come to accept the Lord Jesus as Saviour would by themselves chase us and ask like the men in the city of Jerusalem about two thousand years ago asked the Apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do to be saved?”
Taking a good look into the lives of the early Christians, one would really wonder if there are still Christians around. Fundamentally, the simplest definition of a Christian is one who follows Christ. And to follow Christ means doing exactly what He would do in every situation and aiming to eventually become like Him.
The story is told of a Christian in South China who had a rice field in the middle of the hill several decades ago. In time of drought he used a water-wheel, worked by a tread-mill (a mechanism that requires a lot of human effort), to lift water from the irrigation stream into his field. His neighbour had two fields below his, and one night, made a breach in the dividing bank and drained off all his water. When the man repaired the breach and pumped in more water his neighbour did the same thing again, and this was repeated three or four times. He was being patient and refused to fight back, and then he did something amazing. The next morning he pumped water for the two fields below and in the afternoon pumped water for his own field. After that the water stayed in his field. His neighbour was so amazed at his action that he began to inquire the reason, and in course of time he too becomes a Christian. That was a Christian! But today, instead of being meek, ‘Christians’ would rather fight back, not to be taken for fools, a direct disobedience to the words of the Lord on the mount: “But I say to you not to resist an evil person; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your undershirt (tunic), let him have your coat also.”(Matt 5:39-40)
The Bible records the things the very first set of people who were converted to Christianity on the Day of Pentecost did in Acts 2:42-47. From that record, we could unearth a lot of facts about the way these people lived. They were very generous to the poor, ready to distribute, and desired not to eat their food alone but bade the poor welcome to their table, not grudgingly, but with all the hearty freedom imaginable such that there was not any among them that lacked. Those that were rich were too caring to lay up their riches in a vault, and would rather inconvenience themselves to help their brethren. These believers were so taken up with the hopes of an inheritance in the age to come that this was as nothing to them. They did not call what they had their own, in a way of pride and vainglory, boasting of it, or trusting in it. They did not call it their own, because they had totally forsaken all for Christ, like the master had said in Luke 13:33, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple”. They were dead to self, dead to this world, heaven was their focus, they had truly surrendered all. They understood that what we have in the world is more God's than our own; we have it from him, must use it for him, and are accountable for it to him. No wonder that they were of one heart and soul, they knew the wealth of this world is all vanity. They were one united family. The Holy Ghost could move freely in their gatherings bringing about great signs and miracles because of the love they shared. There was love among them. Not in word, no not at all, it was clear from their deeds.
Quite amazingly, they went beyond having things in common, sharing among themselves, to affect their society, giving to all men. They did not confine their charity to other believers alone, but were all-embracing. They raised a fund for charity. They sold their possessions and goods; some sold their lands and houses, others their stocks and the furniture of their houses, and parted the money to the poor people in the streets, as every man had need. This was to destroy, not property but selfishness. They were eager to obey Christ when he said in Luke 12:33 that “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupts”. They had understood that only the obedient believers who are pure in heart will enter into the rest of the Lord.
Undoubtedly, the early Christians loved one another dearly and there was no such thing as discord or division among them. They were in no way like ‘Christians’ of this day who gossip, keep malice and do all the likes, chasing after ephemeral things, having minds clouded with all sorts of ambitions. They were not like ‘Christians’ who would turn their faces when a poor blind man beg them for alms, rather, they healed those that He would and helped others. They had compassion and love written all over them. They represented Jesus well in their part of the world; they were Salt and Light indeed. The people around could not fathom it. They could only marvel, they saw a beauty and excellence in them, and respected them. Fear came upon every soul and the souls of people were strangely influenced by the way they lived and the mighty things God did through them. Those that were not part of them, the standers by, the spectators were amazed and could not help it but join them one after the other, and the number of the believers increased on a daily basis.
If only we would just do what we’ve been called to do. If only we would show love in its purest form, like Jesus asked us to in Matt.5:44, “But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”, if only we would show love to the whole world the very way Christ loved us while we yet sinners, the magnitude of the harvest we would reap for the King would be beyond our imagination. So I ask, where are people like Dorcas? Where are people like the Chinese brother? Where are the Christians? It’s like such people are so hard to find these days.
Lord, help me to be a Christian.
Lord, help me to be like you!
No comments:
Post a Comment