The Daily Devotional Podcast

Abide in Action - 3 | Acts 2:43–47

• Waypoint Church

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0:00 | 4:37

This reflection examines the practice of authentic community, emphasizing that following Jesus was always intended to be lived alongside other believers rather than in isolation. Using the example of the early church, it encourages Christians to move beyond casual connection and intentionally share life together through mutual love, encouragement, worship, and care as they grow in Christ.

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“May the Lord bless you and keep you — and may His presence guide you this week.”


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Today I'm reading Acts two verses forty three through forty seven. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders, and all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity, all the while praising God and enjoying the good will of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

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The third practice is yet another familiar one, and is the equal and opposite of yesterday's community.

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This is not an example of Jesus himself talking about community, though there are plenty. I think this passage beautifully captures what community looks like and drives home just how much power there is behind it. So often Jesus lived out the very nature of this practice, eating and drinking with those around him. The active discipleship relied heavily on the disciples living life with Jesus. Everywhere he went, they went. Where he slept, ate, drank, or shared a word, there they were. When there was cause for celebration or mourning, everyone took part. Life was lived together. This is another practice that is in large part hindered by the culture we find ourselves in. In the age of connection we live in, real community is harder and harder to find. The terminally online way of life gives us more information and more access to people than ever before, and yet loneliness rates continue to rise. Something is missing. Access is not relationship. Life, real life, is not lived online. The author of Hebrews writes in Hebrews ten that we should not neglect gathering together. And while this is a great passage that the Capital C Church often uses to remind us that Sunday gathering is important, it's just as important the other six days of the week. Church should not be the only time you gather with your family of faith. Small group, life group, Bible study, whatever verbiage you want to use in describing it, the goal should be the same. Living life together. As people who claim to be followers of Christ, his disciples, we are living life with him. If Jesus were physically walking beside us today, we would follow wherever he went, together, as one body of disciples learning from our rabbi. He is still here with us, so don't do yourself the disservice of going it alone. He intended for us to run after him together. And I'll leave you with Jesus' own words on the matter. There's one defining mark that's meant to distinguish his disciples. One way the world is meant to recognize that he is truly who he claimed to be. Jesus repeats this command throughout his ministry and prays for it again in John seventeen. In John thirteen, he says, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

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Before I close in prayer, here's a question to wrestle with. Am I merely connected to other believers, or am I intentionally living life with them? Father, thank you for giving us one another.

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Forgive me for the times I try to follow you in isolation. Help me become the kind of disciple who not only gathers with your people, but truly lives alongside them. Teach us to love one another so well that the world sees Jesus in the way we care for each other.