Acts 4:23-37
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
I have a love-hate relationship with going to the gym. On the one hand, I hate the idea of getting up early every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, getting on my workout clothes, and heading off to our 7 AM workout class. (Don’t judge me, I know there are those who go at 6 AM and some even at 5! But at least I go.) And sometimes I hate the seemingly-contrived exercises the trainers put us through. But I love the feeling of achievement and success once the workout is ended. And the physical wellbeing is quite rewarding. I love connecting with the trainers and the others in our class as well.
Luke describes a kind of love-hate engagement of the people in Jerusalem with the Apostles and these new Jesus followers. He speaks of the fear that people had toward this fellowship after Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead having been caught in their grave deceit. They were afraid to join this group of believers. They did not consider them to be safe.
But Luke tells us that the believers were held in high esteem, and that new believers were added to their number daily. Peter and the Apostles were surrounded by great excitement and enthusiasm. People were being healed. Men and women were coming to faith. People from surrounding towns were bringing others who were sick and they were all healed.
Maybe I have this sort of dynamic tension in my own relationship with God. On the one hand I love God, deeply desire to honor and serve him. On the other hand, sometimes I am afraid to do what he says. Whether it is to hope boldly, pray courageously and expectantly, or engage fully, I hold back more often than I should.
In the end, however, I go to the gym and gain the worldly benefits of working out. And I believe in God, fearing and loving him above all things. The dynamic tension in my relationship with God is one of daily repentance and faith. I confess my sins to him, and believe his promises of grace, life, forgiveness, and salvation.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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