The Loss of Power

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Tim. 3:5

Over the past forty five years, I have watched as the "Body of Christ"- the Church, has lost it importance to believers and non-believers.  There was a time in the history of the Church where the attraction of a spiritual life drew men and women to the salvation.  In the very beginning of the Church there was a power that united people together as a "Body of Believers".

There could have been several reasons that people wanted to become part of the Church.  The ones that I feel would have had a major attraction to people outside the Church would have been the promises of a changed life, spiritual power, the hope of immortality, and a family or community to which they could belong.  The promise to become part of something that was greater than the individual and could meet the material, physical and spiritual needs would have been a major attraction to people in poverty, suffering from disease and the inequality of society.

Christianity offered what the government could not- mutual social support for its members-the household of faith.  The expression, "Behold how they love one another" was not a slogan it was a way of life for the believer. What separated Christianity from all other religions was not just a great religious message but a way of life that served the needs of the believer in the form of a united community. 

Christianity was born in the midst of paganism where there was no uniform religious belief or practice for the poor.  The Romans thought of themselves as highly religious.  The elite classes were the religious leaders.  Roman religion depended on knowledge and correct practice of prayer ritual and sacrifice and not on faith and doctrine.  Religion was to the Romans a tool for social order. Whereas to be part of the Christian community was to belong to a society of closely knit friends, brothers and sisters and Christ, this sense of belonging gave the early Church power.

Christianity grew because it addressed the basic needs of the believer and the community in which it ministered.  During the early history of the church persecution was often severe.  Which makes one ask the question, why would ordinary people be drawn to a community of believers, where their lives would be changed and they would be considered outcast by their families and neighbors to the point of death? 

Again, "Behold how they love one another", this came from the teachings of Jesus who instructed them to love one another, love your neighbor as yourself, love your enemy and to love God with all your heart.  Early Christians exhibited a love that was strange to the world around them.  They put to practice, "no great love than this that a man lay down his life for his friends".  Even though they did not strive to establish a political or religious power they became both through the demonstration of love.  What made the teachings of the Christian faith so different was the reversal of thought: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all; For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

If you study the beginning of the Church one begins to wonder how a handful of loyal followers could become so powerful and dynamic that they turned the world upside down in about twenty-four months.  Why was the Early Church successful when other movements failed?  Could it be that the believers accepted the teaching of Jesus without question?  Could it be that they demonstrated the ministry of Jesus daily—healing people, speaking with power and authority, doing bold and astonishing things that amazed everyone?  

When you think about the appeal that Christianity had for many people in the beginning it is clear that they were drawn to a community that cared for them and loved them.  This love had an enormous appeal to a society that did not care for the poor and destitute.  The community of believers practiced an equality that was unknown- a slave could become a bishop.  The believers of Jesus understood this and it made all the difference in the world.

Today the Church has relinquished its power to the government.  The government however, is trying to pass the responsibility for caring for the poor to the rich.  Taxing the rich is not the scriptural way of meeting the needs of the poor.  Jesus never forced the rich to be generous nor did he put the responsibility of taking care of the poor on the rich.  The Bible gives responsibility for the poor to Christians, not the rich.  Christians who agree with taxing the rich to support the poor are avoiding their responsibility as a Christian.  Christianity teaches personal responsibility in resolving the issues of the poor.  

Paul in writing to the church at Thessalonica said, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you…. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat (2 Thes 5:6-8,10). Christianity does not approve of a "entitled life."

In times where families within the body of Christ are unable to provide for their own needs, the church must get involves.  Caring for those within the Body of Christ is part of the responsibility of every Christian. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him (1 Jn 3:16-17).  Paul wrote to Timothy, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1Tim.5:8)

The early Christian had a radically different attitude toward possessions. Instead of being something to enjoy, they were seen as a gift from God to be used to strengthen the Church.  All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. Christians like Barnabas responded to the gospel by selling their property and giving to those in need (Acts 4:36-37). There was no compulsion. All this giving was voluntary.  This is contrary to the mindset of today's Christian who feels it is important to accumulate possessions rather than share. 

Christian today are more like the story of Ananias and Saphira Ananias, giving the impression that they gave all while holding back for their own security. (Acts 5:3,4).

Another area that was the responsibility of the Church was healing.  The Early Christians healed all those who were sick. When Jesus sent out the disciple with the power to heal they came back amazed.  The early Christian was not afraid to pray, to anoint and the laying on of hands. Christians were not afraid to become instrument through which God's power could work. 

Christians have lost power over our bodies because we have forgotten who we are.  We are the temple and dwelling place of God and that our bodies are members of Christ himself who purchased us by his own blood.  We have been asked to honor Christ with our bodies.  It is by His stripes we have healing.  And James instructed us when we are sick to call for the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord and that the prayer of faith will make the sick well.  In times past the Lord sustained those on their sickbed and restored them from the bed of illness.  As Christian we must affirm the WORD and power to those who have lost their faith by a renewed emphasis on allowing healing from God.  

We have been instructed not to defile our bodies. Yet, in America we have become drug dependent.  Look at the following statistics:

• ·         the average number of Americans using at least one prescription drug in the past month was 45%.

• ·         1.6 billion drugs are ordered or provided during physician office visits

• ·         Five out of six persons ages 65 and older take at least one medication, with almost 50% taking three or more.

• ·         10% of adult women are taking antidepressants.

• ·         Prescription drugs have become the fastest-growing component of overall health care costs in the U.S. These costs are now increasing at a rate of about 15% per year, a rate that far outpaces inflation.

·         Although prescriptions currently account for only 8-9% of all health care costs, prescription costs threaten to overtake spending for physicians' services and other categories of health spending.

The side-effects of most drugs have serious consequences, often more harmful than the illness they are "curing".   Christians have surrendered their health concerns to man rather than God.  We have allowed the hand of man with his poison that will defile the body and bring weakness and sickness to receive the honor for healing rather than allowing the designer of the body to solve our health concerns.

Is it any wonder the Church has lost it power?  What would happen if the Church regained its power to change lives, meet the material, physical and spiritual needs of mankind today?  The multitudes were attracted to the ministry of Jesus because of his ability to meet their needs.  He was able to meet their needs by the power of the Holy Spirit.  We once again need the power of the Holy Spirit upon the Church to attract men and women to Jesus Christ.  We need to take back our responsibility to the poor, sick, homeless, the orphaned and widow and show our faith by the power of trusting in God.