ALL IN

ALL IN!

Acts 5:1-4

5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?

Mark 8:34-35

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

           Another popular phrase today is “all in.” It often refers to the decision to engage in an activity no matter the outcome and often when the outcome is in question. With teenagers it often involves great risk by saying yes to a dare.

           The book of Acts gives us a futuristic snapshot of today’s church when a couple, driven by jealousy and pride, sells a piece of property and donates a part of the sale price to the church. That would have been fine except that they lied and said that they were giving the total amount of the sale. They said they were “all in.”

           But, I don’t want to make this about money as it often is. I want to make this about your relationship to the Lord and your church family. Are you “all in” with Jesus? Are you giving Him what you have promised? Are you holding back a part of your life where Jesus is not welcome? Are you “all in” with your church? Is it all about you and what you enjoy?  Do you interpret the Bible’s meaning through the filter of your feelings? Oh, don’t be so shocked at my questions! It’s a common practice today.

           There was no consequence to lying to Pastor Peter but they had also lied to the Holy Spirit. That lie cost them their lives. At that point they were indeed “all in.”

Matt 22:37

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Dear Lord, search out those things which I am withholding from you and challenge me. I want to be “all in.” AMEN