What was the secret of the power and influence of the early Christians in the Roman Empire as portrayed in the book of Acts? It was that they were “mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Romans 1:11) They were led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14) as they gathered to spontaneously “spur one another on to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Rigid religious routine makes it difficult to recognize the present-day reality and presence of the risen Jesus. Verses from the Bible are read and preached every Sunday, but their meaning is twisted, resisted, and cast aside. We don’t let the Bible’s words come alive within us, burn in our heart, and be our daily guide.
It was religious routine that condemned Jesus to the Cross. “The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.” (Acts 13:27)
Perhaps the most obvious example I have seen of religion twisting, resisting, and casting aside the clear meaning of the words of the Bible was in two small twin country churches sitting side-by-side. They were part of the same denomination, yet their parallel walls were only a few feet apart. Shocked by the sight of identical twin churches almost cojoined, I walked in to visit the one on my left.
The routine was typical — welcome, prayer, songs, announcements, offering, Scripture reading, sermon, and closing song. However, because we were just one wall away from a twin church building with the same doctrines, I was shocked by the sermon!
The preacher preached with fire in his eyes about how Jesus Christ tore down the wall that separated the Jews and the Gentiles. He quoted Ephesians 2:14-16) from the King James version: “For He (Jesus) is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross.”
As the preacher ranted on and on about how Jesus tore down the dividing wall, I kept looking to my right at the obvious reality that no one else seemed to notice. A plain white wall had been built to separate us from our like-minded fellow Christians in the twin church just a few feet beside us.
Jesus tore down the wall so all who rely on His presence and reality can be one body and gather to mutually exhort and encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:24-25) Since Jesus tore down the wall between Jews and Christians, isn’t it time that Christians tear down the religious walls we have built between clergy and laity and between one another?
Here’s a simple first step to wall demolition. Invite a few Christians you know to gather in your house. Then simply have everyone listen quietly to Jesus and then say and do whatever He tells them to. The walls will soon fall right in front of your eyes. Try it and see!
Free Gas for Your Think Tank -- Short Reflections, Lasting Encouragement 