1 - Introduction - Living like a real Christian Idolatry - The Sin Beneath The Sin | Page 6

distinctions enter the church. Specifically, it is the practice of deliberately building
relationships with other Christians across traditional cultural barriers.
Saul’s conversion story demonstrates this aspect of the character of Christian community.
In Acts, Saul’s initial attitude toward Christians is “murderous” (Acts 9 v 1). He happily
supports the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8 v 1) and wants to see more of the same, so he
travels to Damascus to arrest anyone he finds there who is a believer in Jesus. Ananias, a
Christian in Damascus, knows about Saul’s expedition and realizes he is likely to be
arrested and perhaps killed by Saul (Acts 9 v 14).
Suddenly Ananias gets a word from the Lord that the murderer/persecutor has been
converted to faith in Christ and that Ananias is to go to Saul. Though understandably
fearful, Ananias immediately obeys. “Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the
Lord…has sent me’” (Acts 9 v 17).
Considering how small the church still was, it is almost certain that Saul had arrested and
maybe killed people Ananias had known and loved. Yet the gospel destroys the old ties
and identities, and now that Saul believes in Christ, he is immediately Ananias’ brother!
Ananias is essentially saying, “Ultimately it doesn’t matter who you were and what you’ve
done. Because of Christ we are brothers.”
Racism, classism, and cultural imperialism must be rooted out of our hearts with the
gospel. Put another way: if you would rather have your Christian friend/relative marry a
person of the same race, class, or status regardless of their religious convictions, instead
of marrying a solid Christian of a different race, class, or status, your prejudices have not
been gospel-changed.
Notes on specific texts:
• 1 Corinthians 12 recognizes that many people have “greater” gifts (e.g., speaking
ability, leadership ability), which tend to attract greater honour in the world—but
within the church, verse 25 says, every member must be treated with (literally)
“equal anxiety.” We are to be equally accepting, welcoming, and concerned for
everyone.
•James 2 v 1–14 is a classic text that forbids favouring the rich over the poor.
Practice 3— Affirming One Another Through Visible Affection
• Romans 16 v 16 – “Greet one another with a holy kiss”
• James 1 v 19 – “Be quick to listen, slow to speak”
• Ephesians 4 v 32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another”
• 1 Thessalonians 3 v 12 – “Your love increase and overflow for each other”