Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
As I looked around my church this morning, it seemed like the number of people is increasing. The pandemic has wreaked havoc with our churches and sitting in a row with “cold spaces” always brings sadness to my heart. We have obeyed all the rules for the last two years but we had to think of new ways of gathering. Looking back at our Women’s Bible study, we began in the Fall of 2020 with only two at a table, all of us masked. Today, a healthy 5-6 ladies fill the tables and no masks. I know it’s not all about numbers, but it’s nice to have community and fellowship together again.
Currently, the broader Church is facing discord among and within the denominations that threatens to interrupt the purpose we have been given to show love and peace and share the gospel. Pastors are discouraged. Young people are disillusioned and don’t even attend church. The rise of “nones” as a category for those who have any kind of religion is growing. We are divided over everything from masks to who fills the pulpit. Unity appears to be a thing of the past.
The story of the early church came after a time of disruption, distrust, and disaster. Christ had been crucified, the apostles scattered, Stephen was stoned and others were beaten. Jews and Gentiles were at odds with each other. The good news was in jeopardy. Yet, the small band of believers continued to fear the Lord and be encouraged by the Holy Spirit. And they increased in numbers.
Fear the Lord is a confusing phrase. Are we supposed to be afraid of God? No, we are to treat Him with awe, reverence, and respect. He is the Almighty God and we can trust Him with our lives. However, we don’t have to fight this battle of life on our own. The Holy Spirit is available to strengthen and encourage us. He is the glue that holds the Church together and gives it the fire needed to ignite a passion to know and follow Jesus.
The pandemic has changed our trajectory in many ways but not without full knowledge and purpose by our God. He is able to take this reimagining of the Church and give us a time of peace and hope for a future that is good.
The lyrics of the song, They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love, says it all:
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.