Good day
In the previous message we took a look at Matthew 22:36-40 where it speaks about God's instruction to love Him and to love others. We also looked at an example where this commandment wasn't carried out, or where love was absent, and the severe consequences it carried. In today's message I'd like to focus on the opposite by taking a look at a Biblical example where love was present.
In Acts 2 we see the account of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Peter then addresses the crowd and shares the gospel of Jesus Christ and about 3000 people were added to their number that day. It then goes on to describe some of the characteristics of what this new community of believers looked like:
Acts 2:42-47 NKJV
"Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Now we'll examine some of these characteristics in more detail by taking a look at some key words and how it relates to love:
"Fellowship" - This means that they met together frequently with the intention of forming and growing relationships. This verse in another translation (AMP) says they continually and faithfully devoted themselves to fellowship. It means that they saw it as important/vital to building and maintaining their Christian community.
"Divided them among all, as anyone had need" - This means that they cared about each other and took an interest in the needs of others.
"Breaking bread from house to house" - This means that people were comfortable with inviting others over to their homes, showing hospitality and in doing so, further building relationships.
"Ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart" - This same verse in the NIV says they ate together with glad and sincere hearts. In the AMP it says they were eating their meals together with joy and generous hearts. These words, "gladness"..."sincere"..."joy"..."generous", describe their attitude towards one another. It speaks of healthy and genuine relationships.
"Favour with all the people" - This means there was harmony amongst all.
When we consider the above examples, it shows a group of people that were in unity (They were in one accord). It also shows that love was integral in forming and maintaining healthy relationships and how this proved to be one of the major building blocks in the development of this Christian community ... and look at the result - The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved!
One needs to mention here that they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine ... part of this doctrine would've been the below instruction by Jesus:
John 13:34-35
I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
Contrast this to what some Christian communities/congregations look like today where there may be a lack of interest or concern for the people sitting in the same room ... not taking the time to greet ... not introducing themselves to someone they haven't met before ... not knowing or caring when someone hasn't been there for a while ... Then there are other examples of people's attitude towards each other, lying, gossiping, offence, unforgiveness, envy, false motives, self-promotion, pride, arrogance, self-recognition, etc. ... All of which are contrary to the examples we just read above.
It's clear from the passage that love played a key ingredient in establishing healthy and growing relationships among a community of believers and that if we want to experience this same level of fellowship within the church as God intends for us, then love needs to be at the foundation of how we view and treat those around us - not only that, it needs to take priority.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.
Amen