All Things How?

S - “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. … Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving 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 were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35 ESV

O - "All things in common" did not and does not mean a centralized human authority which maintains control over others, making unilateral decisions about the possession, distribution and consumption of resources. This commonality did not and does not start with the physical but the spiritual, not with what is seen but what is unseen. It did not flow from or follow a cause or principle but a person. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. … So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27,33 ESV) What it does mean is a full hearted response to the person of Jesus and living a relational commitment to him, to his brothers and sisters and to working with him on earth just like they do in heaven.

A - "All things" is the same as "everything" and it is the requirement of Jesus for everyone who would be his disciple. I can be a religious, theological, institutional and/or missional disciple without embracing this requirement but, according to Jesus, I cannot be his disciple apart from it. The fear which earth and hell promote when this reality is addressed is the fear of want; that somehow following Jesus and engaging his instructions will impoverish my life and leave me bereft of blessing or abundance. “Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” Mark 10:28-30 ESV So far, my experience confirms that when Jesus sends us out with nothing we lack nothing and when we give up everything we receive everything as he intends. I'll refuse the fear and follow the One who is love, light and life unto all things in common.

P - Lord who relentlessly loves us all,

I accept your terms of living, of discipleship, of following. I will believe you about earth and not just about heaven. I realize that this kind of living is ultimately impossible to me without ongoing miraculous interventions from you; but of course this is exactly your point and promise … the life that is really life. Vibrant, refreshing, irrepressible, eternal abundant life here and hereafter.

Relying on you and your ongoing intervention,

Steve