Are You Holding Back?

"Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events." Acts 5:9-11

Monday I {Mandy} wrote about Ananias and Sapphira, members of the early Church who withheld a portion of their money and lied about it. They pretended they gave everything they had. Peter questioned first Ananias, and then Sapphira, asking why they lied to the Holy Spirit. They both fell down dead. 

What we can take from this is not that God demands every penny we have, but rather that we have the correct heart behind what we give--and what we don't.

Maybe you don't have a lump of money socked away somewhere, but is there anything you do have that you're withholding? Talents? Skills? Abilities? Effort?

For the longest time, I thought the passages abou Ananias and Sapphira were about the dangers and sin of lying. However, after reading through those verses again for Monday's Devotional, I realized there was an underlying issue at work: their half-hearted conviction and commitment.

There were a number of things that could have contributed to Ananias and Sapphira's one-foot-in commitment: Peter had just denied Christ, but was newley restored, Christians were an enemy of the Romans, fear of a fate similar to Christ's, the idea of sharing everything one has with a less-than-stellar cast of characters, and the list goes on. But where Ananias and Sapphira missed the boat is in putting their faith in men instead of putting it in God. 

While those in leadership had questionable pasts, the Lord anointed them to lead His Church. The Lord was at the helm and was going to do what He wanted with His Church. 

Even though it's been over 2,000 years since Ananias and Sapphira, we see them in many of us today. For the longest time I held back in writing and living boldly in the name of Christ for the sake of my pride. I was more afraid of others' opinions of me than I was in disobeying God. 

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

I was terrified every time I published a blog post conveying my faith because I feared what would be said in the comments. I feared what might be whispered behind my back, "Who does she think she is? I know her and let me tell you...all that religious stuff is a crock."

As my faith grew and I felt my passion also growing, it put a strain on many relationships. Suddenly, I was seen as a fanatic, a cult member, a goody-two-shoes. 

I wasn't the person they once knew, and they didn't like it.

As God asked me to do more and bigger, to step out in faith and accomplish through Him what I surely could never accomplish on my own, I doubted and feared, so I held back. 

Have you been there? Have you held back for whatever reason? 

Is it pride?
Is it fear?
Is it doubt?
Is it selfishness?
Is it pressure from others against change?

The Lord will accomplish His will, despite us. However, we are all given gifts to be active, contributing members of the Body. Without each part working to its fullest, the Body is weakened and not as efficient. Who knows the blessings we are missing out on? Who knows how many we're not reaching for the Lord that we were purposed to reach? Who knows how many others would have been inpisred to obey by witnessing our obedience?

If you find yourself in this place right now, where you have something to offer, but you're holding back for whatever reason, ask God to give you strength to be bold. Ask Him to go before you and lead you along the path He's setting you on. 

And Be All In.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1

There's no such thing as a part-time Believer. 

There aren't any casual Christians. 

Not in God's view. 

When He calls us to Himself, He calls all of ourselves, all the time. 

"So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Revelation 3:16