Eastertide

April 6, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Acts 4:32-35
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

God created a diverse world with all kinds of plants, animals, and people. God said that all of it was good. From the dawn of creation until today, our challenge is working together as a diverse people in one heart and soul. That one heart and soul is the Body of Christ in the world today, of which we are invited to become a part. Following Jesus’ bodily exit from the earth, we were blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit that binds all creation together. God knows all of our skills and potential to use our talents to the Glory of God in actualizing God’s Kingdom. We mock the wisdom of the Spirit when we chose to fight among ourselves rather than investing in the energy needed to work together.

I have never quite understood Jesus’ warning that the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit*. I think it somehow ties into our failure to be one heart and soul. I am also not sure how forgiveness relates to redemption. In pondering this, I remember John Newton’s story, the author of the hymn Amazing Grace. He was a slave runner delivering people removed from Africa to lives of bondage when circumstances led him to repent of this sin. He did turn around and spent the rest of his life in service to God. I doubt that he ever forgave himself, but he did recognize God’s amazing grace.

We, too, are called to turn around from anything that is limiting our work in creating a world where all live in one heart and soul.

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
  That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
  Was blind, but now I see.

‘ Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
  And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
  The hour I first believed**!

Prayer: Lord, you have told us that a house divided against itself cannot stand***. Empower us through your spirit to turn around from divisiveness and turn toward oneness to your glory.  Amen.

*See Matthew 12: 31-32, Luke 12:10, and Mark 3:29
**First and second verse of the hymn Amazing Grace by John Newton see all https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/313

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.