Reading: “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, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:46-47

In the course of my pastoral duties I often have to visit hospitals and stand by the bed of those who are seriously ill. It’s always a sobering experience to listen to faint breathing, look at pale cheeks, watch languid eyes, and strain to hear very weak words. At times there seems so little energy and it is obvious that all is not well.

Sadly, sometimes vitality is rare in the body of Christ! Christians are often marked with lethargy rather than liveliness and often view gospel work with crippling indifference. It was very different in first-century Christianity!

The book of Acts shows a very practical and passionate Christianity. New believers did not simply make a profession of faith in Christ and then continue to live as if nothing had happened to them. Their whole life was altered. It was a living experience. It was real! Christ was real! Salvation was real!

Surely, this is what Paul meant when he said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). This is a Christ-centered life lived in the victory of the gospel. Is this where my life is? My prayer life? My desires after God? My appetite for the Word of God? Is my life marked with vitality or apathy?