Acts 5:1-11
There he is—knocking on the door of the church, and his wife is soon to follow. Ananias and Sapphira! They've seen what true Christians do—give everything they have and all they are to Christ and His church. They've seen people like Barnabas give all and receive honorable positions in the church. Honor! Prestige! Recognition! So here they come. But their claims of laying all at the apostle's feet, and so giving all to Jesus Christ are false. They never enter the battle against Satan and temptation. They just take the easy way, which they see as safe—words and claims without truth and costly commitment—and they die. No repentance, no surrender to Christ and His Church, no true life, only death and Hell. True pastors and the Church fight long and hard, giving all for the Ananiases and Sapphiras, but these refuse God's way and are gone.
Do you see the battle that Peter and the Church fought here, empowered by the Holy Spirit? What a temptation to soften the truth of the Gospel to build up the membership numbers and income levels of the church! Do whatever it takes to bring them in. Use entertainment; don't preach against sin and the flesh; don't call for or expect repentance, separation from the world, and holiness—God's order—in all areas of life. Do many avoid coming in because Peter's message is as hard and glorious as Christ's? Do many go out as Ananias and Sapphira did? Oh, yes! But praise God, this battle is the Lord's, and only by His power will we be enabled to stand in our appointed place in His holy army! Where are you in this battle of life and death?
If you're still back there with Ananias and Sapphira—living a false Christianity that speaks the words, makes the claims, but lacks the fruit of surrender and obedience and a transformed life in Christ, don't
continue
there! It's a lie—a lie to God, to His people, and to yourself, and the result is death and damnation! Earnestly—truthfully!—seek God for revelation of your heart and His mercy. Receive the condemnation of your old life at the cross of Jesus Christ and He will bring you to the repentance that results in a new heart and life. If you're a Peter, one called by God into a place of leadership in His Holy Church, fight
on in truth! Don't compromise or cease to call sinners out of sin, and saints to growth and holiness. Fight
on, my Pastor! If you're with the young men, who carried the dead out—a diligent obedient Christian worker—fight
on! Continue in submission to your leaders and avoid the compromise of so-called "compassion" that is not God's. If you're one with the true Church in this war for life, fight
on! Ever seek to grow in the fear of the Lord—fall before Him worshiping Him in the Spirit of Holiness, awe, and trembling, and receive His Life and Blessing! Truly the fear of the Lord is the key to the Church door, and that is the Door to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord!
~ Cindy Warren
