To Be or Not To Be? That is the question….

Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:1-5 (KJV) 1 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? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

So often we hear of this story and fail to relate to its deepest meaning. It is usually told in reference to money or about deceiving the Holy Spirit and the church. But have you ever considered the actual act of “giving your life” to God? Do we really give it all? Or are there pieces and parts that we withhold? Do we really give it all or are we duplicit in our action? Do we publicly give our whole life over but keep and guard some of our sinful nature with the intention to hide it, never showing it to anyone and to use it secretly for our own pleasure and comfort?

Lord God! Before it is too late, before You send Your Holy Spirit to find us out. Search our hearts to see if there is any evil way in us! Before Holy Spirit judges and reveals our unbelieving and deceitful heart. Please have mercy and draw us into Your truth so that we can truly “sell ALL that we own”, every sin and the nature of it, that would cause us to lie and hide from Your loving gaze. To keep selfishness and sin secret, covered and hidden in order to show ourselves approved in front of man and the church of saints. Help us to go to the cross, where Christ went before us, and give our all. And help those who would be watching and following our misguided steps, to see the truth, Your merciful loving grace, and turn to You completely and unreservedly. That their sin not be added to ours and we both be lost. Amen