Christ is the answer, who is the question? Acts 5:1-12

Christ is the answer, who is the question? Acts 5:1-12

2Corinthians 11:20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

We often see the unchristian world as the question and Christ as the answer. And this is very true. But that is not the whole truth. The other side of the story is that Christians themselves pose a difficult question to which only Christ can be the answer. The story of Ananias and Saphira which we just read is a pointer in this direction. So many Christians do not yet realise that a little lie, a little compromise and a little unprofitable talk defiles the whole testimony. LIE AS IT IS, IS A ALWAYS A SECOND SIN, and you may need at least three other lies to cover the first one.

Song of Solomon 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Just as Solomon helped us to know that the vines have tender grapes, as Christians our testimony have a tender and delicate body. It is easier destroyed than mended. Come to think of majority of people who are more willing to read the Christian man and woman rather than read the bible. It is therefore imperative to watch what we say or do or think as Christians. YOU MIGHT BE THE ONLY BIBLE THE WORLD IS WILLING TO READ.

James 2:10

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

It is possible to think that Ananias’ sin is not as terrible as the judgement meted on him. On the other hand if Christians who should be the light of the world decided to be darkness in order to gain recognition and people’s praises, then there may be no hope for the lost dark world. This harsh judgement should teach us that God hate deceit among those who profess to be born again and spirit filled. We do no know what exactly prompted Ananias and Saphira to lie to the church. Was it love of money or desire for human recognition? Whichever reason, the bible has warned us several times that the love of money is the root of all evil (I Timothy 6:10). Moreover Jesus taught us that one cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24)

Mat 6:24

For those who would like to deceive the world and other Christians about their own relationship with God, this is a lesson. Today we may without doubt look forward to this kind of instant judgement because of false Christians and fake believers. Otherwise according to a bible commentator, God’s people will soon return to the ungodly ways of the world, cease to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and God’s miraculous presence, and be cut off from the flow of God’s grace.

Ananias name means the Lord is gracious while his wife’s name Saphira means beautiful. The same way the name Christians means little Christs. Are you a Christian? Do you live up to that name? If not mercy is still available today. Repent and be converted before it is too late. As at now Christ is the answer and you are the question.

Jeremiah 5:25 Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. 26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.