In these first few chapters of Acts, we see a brief period of the church’s beginning that is similar to the brief period in Genesis of man’s beginning. In Acts, God so poured out His spirit that sin was drowned out; . . . sin has a way of not staying drowned out doesn’t it?
Technically speaking, sin can be drowned out again, just like it was here in Acts, and just like it was in the Garden before the fall. It’s not that it can’t be done; it’s just that it requires a price that most of us are not willing to pay. The 120 from Acts paid it. Jesus in the Garden paid it. But most of us just are not willing to. So at best, at least for most, we just get close.
I am a recently converted idealist. In fact it is so recent, that a few days ago when I first wrote this, I wrote it from an idealist’s perspective. An idealist sees the ideal and anything less doesn’t count. It’s all or none. But in the past few days, the Lord has helped me see that instead of just all or none, most or some count too.
When I first wrote this, my conclusion as an idealist, was that when we are willing to make God’s business priority, like Jesus and these first 120 did, then and only then will we see what they saw. That really is still true. This new way of looking at things doesn’t change that fact. Some will press through. Some will see these things. It just accepts the fact that most will at best just see some portion of these things.
Years ago I tried playing the guitar. I could strum a chorus or two but that was about it. After a while, I gave it up. Some didn’t. Some stayed with it. They paid the price and some got to be pretty good. Some got to be very good and some are known all over the world as being the best. They all made it priority. They all learned to play. Some may have become more accomplished than others, but all, because they made it priority, became guitar players. They are all part of a group that did not quit. By pressing toward the ideal, they achieved a part of it and have are varying degrees of evidence to show for it.
I will still press toward the ideal. This is not an excuse to let up. It is a realistic approach to the pressing. It is not just all or nothing. Most or some count too. As long as it is priority, I am part of a group that has not quit. I may never reach the ideal, but I will achieve part of it and there will at least be some degree of evidence to show for it.
Hunger and Thirst 
Insightful post. It isn’t all or nothing — all is a process, a journey and it is the journey that crafts us into who God wants us to be. Our growth and development are in His hands. Our part is to seek and abide in Him.
Rachel
Good post – idealism in this life can kill our desire as we never match up. One day we will reach that ideal – when we kneel before our Savior and sin is no more. Looking forward to that. In the meantime we press on in his grace.
I feel what you are saying. I understand that it is hard to accept less than the ideal . . .the yearning to see it here and now, in us . . .in others. Yet, I’m so glad that it isn’t all or nothing, that I get to keep trying, keep seeking Him.
I’m in Matthew and the parts where Jesus healed everyone. Everyone who came to Him. Of everything. And sent His disciples out to do likewise. And I know that just isn’t happening anymore. Not in those proportions. Then I read something today . . .
A sweet momma under so much. So much more than most. Financial stress. Special needs kids. Elderly ailing parents moved in with them. Trying to go to school too. Homeschooling some of the kids. Her youngest son doesn’t talk yet. But yesterday he said one and two . .. for the first time. Today he said his brother’s names and most of the alphabet, for the first time. 🙂 And she told of how she’d been asking one of the other brothers to find three things to be thankful for each day, even if they don’t see the evidence of it yet. He was thankful for his brother talking, though he didn’t yet. 🙂
Okay . . .enough from me! Just had to share that story! ha!
You can log your thoughts here anytime. I think the hinge of what you’ve said is, “Not in those proportions”. I too read of what Jesus and the disciples did and wrestle with why we do not see the same today. In spite of all, I just quite simply have not seen it . . . in those proportions. I believe that is what the Lord has helped me to see. I do see some and some is okay.
Where I am reading in Acts, the miraculous seems to be a means that God used to get peoples attention. Once He had it, when Peter spoke, it says ‘they were cut to the heart’. Tuesday night we had a guy who I believe was ‘cut to the heart’. It was his first time there. When we finished speaking, he confessed before the group that he had lied about why he was there. He was legitimately afraid for his safety. He told the real reason. He could be in for up to 18 years. Later he prayed for forgiveness and confessed his need for God. He had never done that before.
I believe there is more evidence to come, though I don’t see it yet. For now I will take this portion.
I am so moved. Thank you for sharing that portion!