“And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47. praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church such as should be saved.”
I want to look at the attitude of these early Christians as shown in the two verses of our text. They ate their meat, or they ate together, with gladness (of heart). They were glad, or happy, people. The Greek word translated “gladness”, can also be translated as “delight.” With all of the pressures this church was under because of opposition by the Jewish council, and to an extent, the roman governor, they were a glad people. This was because their gladness was in their hearts. Verse 47 shows that they found favor with all the people, excluding their powerful opposition. Gladness is contagious. This leads me to ask, “Are you a glad person?” What do people see in you when they encounter you? Is your church a glad church? When people visit your church do they encounter a glad people? They ate together in “singleness of heart.” The Greek word can also be translated as “sincerity of heart.” Their dedication to Christ was sincere and pure. There was no pretention in the worship of this church. There was also no pretention in the daily lives of the people who comprised this church. Their trust in Christ was sincere and single. They were not seeking to be a religious people; rather, they came across as people who had trust in Jesus. Is this what people see in you as they encounter you in daily life? Is this what people see in your church as they encounter you in worship? I’m not assuming that this is not true of you, or of your church, but I’m saying that we need this singleness and sincerity in our lives and in our worship. They ate together “praising God.” I think that gladness and single sincerity of heart will result in a “praising people.” I paused here and asked myself if I am a glad and sincere person? I know that I praise God daily, and I certainly try to be glad and sincere in my faith and in my life. I remember Mary saying to me one day when we were held up at a red light: “Somebody’s going to go by us and say what is wrong with Joe Beauchamp. He looks unhappy.” I remember this every time I get into a “fuming” situation. We should want people to see us as a people who gladly and sincerely praise God. Does this describe you and your church? Well, does the attitude of gladness, sincerity and praise of the early church describe you? Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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