365 Reflections

Acts 5:1–2 (ESV) But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Right from the beginning of this movement, pretenders have been there. The problem in any church are the people who try to be better than they are. Ananias and Sapphira are case in point. They didn't have to do this. That was actually the most tragic thing of all. They could have given what they wanted, but these two desired prominence and notoriety by looking more generous than they really were.  This will not be tolerated in the New Covenant... As an example, they are swiftly struck down dead by the Holy Spirit.  Why such a quick and decisive judgment?  Because of the nature of the New Covenant. This is about the New Creation of Jesus! You don't get in because of what YOU DO, you get in because of what God did through Jesus Ch...

Paul ends his correspondence with the Corinthians with a personal challenge of a very serious nature. Having spent almost the entire epistle defending his apostleship and gospel, he turns the tables on his hearers. 2 Corinthians 13:5–7 (ESV)  Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. Notice the twist in Verse 6. He says he hopes, after testing themselves, they will find out that Paul is genuine! That's a serious challenge. Paul has already told these people believers have a responsibility to judge believers (1 Cor. 4-5). But now, before they go any further testing his life and ministerial qualifications, t...