March 18: LOVE DEMANDS FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Then those who gladly received [Peter’s] word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to [the infant church]. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:41-42
Peter’s plea to the Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven (v.5), who had come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks, was powerful and effective. The thousands who joined the disciples of Christ that day had been deeply moved – cut to the heart (v.37) – by Peter’s message. This is a direct answer to the prayer of Jesus before His crucifixion: “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world . . . I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word” (John 17: 14,20). These sincere and devout Jewish brethren had come to realize the error of failing to recognize the Messiah. And, though it is certainly painful to be cut to the heart, their decision to “switch sides,” so to speak, brought them the greatest joy they had ever known.
It is essential to continue steadfastly in cultivating a vibrant, growing relationship with the Lord. The apostles’ doctrine consisted entirely of the teachings of Jesus. Luke chose this wording to emphasize that they had personally been with Jesus (see 4:13). As these apostles shared their eyewitness testimony with others, their enthusiasm added an indescribable sparkle to their message. These twelve would be the first to admit that they had to give up the popular, prevailing notion that their Messiah would overthrow the Roman government. The only way to describe how ingrained this idea had been is to compare it to the errors that have “sneaked in through the back door” of today’s churches.
The teachings of Christ are purposeful in helping us understand the “how” of the miracle of salvation. For starters, our daily need of the Holy Spirit becomes real to us! Sound doctrine begins with justification by faith in the effectual, one-time sacrifice of Jesus, represented by the altar of sacrifice in the courtyard of the sanctuary. It goes directly to baptism, represented by the laver of washing, and continues into the Holy Place, where we learn to let our light shine (symbolized by the lampstand lit with holy fire); as we fellowship with each other. The breaking of bread symbolizes Bible study, represented by the table of showbread. Prayers are symbolized by the altar of incense. All of these things infuse a supernatural ‘sparkle’ into our witness of Christ. Even now, He is applying the benefits of atonement to fully restore His image in us. We will see God face-to-face, symbolized by the glory hovering above the Ark of the Covenant…
The choice to continue steadfastly in daily surrender to the Lord is to answer His daily call to faithfulness. We are not “trapped” in salvation, and have not lost our freedom to walk away. God is love – and love demands freedom. It is the enemy who hopes we will “buy in” to the false doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” Paul was able to say at the end of his life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
Further study: Isaiah 63:10; Daniel 8:11-13; Matthew 7:23; 10:22; 24:13; Luke 8:11-15; John 15:1-6; Romans 11:17-22; Galatians 5:4; Ephesians 4:30; Colossians 1:21-23; 1 Timothy 1:19; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-29, 36; 2 Peter 2:20-22