Daily Devotional for Tuesday, January 3

The Discovery of Peter

An extraordinary event has occurred as Holy Spirit reveals to Peter that Ananias has misled the Apostles by declaring he was giving the full amount of the sale of his property. It is no small thing that God revealed to Peter what was happening in Ananias’ heart. Yet, lying against the Lord was only a portion of Ananias’ sin.

The church in Jerusalem had committed together to sell personal effects to meet the physical needs of their community. Christians were suffering financially because of great persecution. What a great testimony this would be to their community that these Christians cared about the well-being of their neighbors.

While Ananias’ sin against God was grievous, it may be equally grievous that he has sinned against his brothers and sisters in Christ along with the community of unbelievers he was supposed to be reaching. Fellow members of the Jerusalem church could have been greatly offended and discouraged by Ananias’ deception. Greater still, the cause of the Gospel in Jerusalem could have been harmed.

Like Ananias, we can get so wrapped up in our self that we fail to recognize the harm we bring to the Gospel with our behavior. God requires holiness from His children simply because He is Holy. We also must live holy lives because we live among the very people God has sent us to reach with the Gospel.

Just A Thought: Your life is a testimony. Everything you say and do tells a story to those around you. Pursue holiness for the sake of the Gospel

Steven Ridings