We Wrestle and Fidget

March 15

We can’t avoid recognizing the contrast between the extraordinary feats of the miraculous that were done by Jesus and His apostles and other followers in the early church with the lack of these amazing revelations of the power of the Living God at work within us today.

Our churches, even those whose doctrinal statements include belief in the viability of the spiritual gifts to believers, including the gifts of healing and of miracles, do not see frequent evidence of those affirmations of faith at work among us. We must contemplate the reason we fail to see, for we know the Word of God is immutable.

We see an insight into this disparity between the early church and ourselves in Acts 2:42-47. This lengthy passage clarifies the fellowship experience of the early believers. The contrast between them and the church today is stark. It begins, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…” How many of us can say we do the same?

It goes on, “…Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done…” How many of us are ‘filled with awe’ at the prospect of spending time in church, among others of like precious faith? Would it be more accurate to say we first wrestle our way out of bed and then fidget through the service, while we plan the rest of our day? If we want more of God’s power, perhaps we must first be in awe of Jesus.