October 14, 2025 -- Acts 4:32-33 -- The evidence of love

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and one soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:32-33 ESV
 
To me this is one of the most beautiful expressions of what it looks like when the love of God takes hold of men and women. The love of God the Father was so rich, so pure, that folks were bound together in love. They met others, so different from themselves, and said, “my brother” or “my sister”. Think of it. Jews from fifteen different regions, as well as non-Jewish folks who heard Peter’s Pentecost sermon, were so stirred they left their former sinful ways to follow Jesus Christ. Obviously, many of these new Christians instead of returning to far-flung homes, stayed in Jerusalem. So, having left their livelihood and homes they’d be in great need as they hungrily learned about Jesus. No wonder there had to be an open-hearted, tremendous sharing of goods, money, food and lodging.
 
Notice the impact—first the love of God had been fully proved to His people in Jesus. The sacrifice of Jesus, and His righteousness given to all who believed in Him was sealed to their hearts by the Holy Spirit. People drenched in the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, shared His goodness among themselves in a self-sacrificing way. Residents of Jerusalem and people who had the means, cared for others around them. No one was needy. Together they blessed one another and in doing so blessed Jesus (see Matthew 25:31-46, whatever we do for others we do so unto Jesus Himself). That is a powerful witness. Such deep and profound love is part of the power of the apostles’ preaching. Ordinary people could see how Christians loved one another. Even at great personal cost to themselves, they were housing strangers, who had become family in Christ. They were feeding people. They were embracing strangers and teaching them of the love of God in very practical ways. This love for others could only be sustained if it were fueled by a divine love—the Love of the Father.
 
The hearts of men and women haven’t changed. People then, and today, are profoundly selfish. Think of various commercials which appeal to one’s sense of entitlement. “I’m worth it”. Or “think of the freedom”. As Voddie Baucham used to say, we live in an age which says, “Get all you can, can all you get and sit on the can”. When people live in a way that is so radically different from the culture all around, and so radically different from the ordinary, sin-fueled impulses of the heart, well, that is a Gospel of power. Does your life reflect the extravagant love of God in the way in which you share with your family in Christ? Do the people at work, in your neighbourhood, in your social circle you see how sacrificially you support your family in Christ? You don’t have to showboat it or boast of it. Such genuine love is evident. It is powerful.
 
Gracious Father, thank You for Jesus, God-incarnate, love-incarnate. As Your Spirit teaches me the wonder of Your unstoppable love, let my heart sing, “Christ lives in me!” Filled to fullest measure of Your love, and then over-flowing with the knowledge of Christ’s great love, let me be a channel of this love to the people around me. Help me to use all the resources and blessings which You have given me so that I will be a blessing and a sign of Your love to fellow believers. Forgive me for the times I have been greedy, tight-fisted and self-focused. With the open-handed generosity You have shown, and still now continually do show me, let me be sacrificially generous so that the Gospel is adorned with the power of love. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/ydBxYBCd4Yg?si=Xyn3PeKyUmKSL3am Christ Liveth in Me
 

Copyright © 2025 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.