It is hard to imagine in the thriving church in the first century that a scandal broke out where it should not be – a place called church where new births, love, and vibrancy marked the essence of church life. Acts 5:1-5: “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.’ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.” Hypocrisy and deception seeped into the fabrics of church life. Unfortunately, it is still the case in today’s church. This warning in Acts 5 remains a stern one for us today.

We cannot predict what impact it may have on others when a scandal breaks out at church. Some may decide to exit church life; others may see this norm of church life and let the guard down. Either way will harm the testimony of the church and we need to take caution against hypocrisy and deception.

What does a joy-filled, Christ-centered church life look like? What is the true mission and character of a church?

The Church consists of those who are saved, the seekers, and people from all walks of life. The Church’s mission to the society is to witness Christ’s love and salvation with the Gospel. Yet, as the culture of the world seeps into the fabric of church life, those who are in the church are losing their godly character and values… quickly!

If believers are called and debts of sin are paid for by the blood of Jesus, then our righteousness can only be reflected in our deeds and our words. Church mission is never short of the nature of the church. She is to draw people to Christ. Her role is to affect the world with godly lifestyle by proclaiming the Lord of the church. Who is the boss of the church? Jesus is. He defines the church and instructs us of the only form of Christian lifestyle: authenticity in congruence with the life in Jesus.

I personally believe that today, the worst thing that sabotages the church life is the greed for wealth.

Proverbs 21:6: “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.” The author of Proverbs reminds us that earning wealth through deception will definitely bring dire consequences. Here the author specifically uses the word “fantasy” to indicate that what they earn in the end is “a fleeting vapor.” This is the same word as “meaningless” in Ecclesiastes.

The first crisis that the early Church faced was about wealth. The greed for wealth results in human corruption, which leads to spiritual death. Ananias’ hypocrisy and deception led to his shameful doom. Even though his actions tell of his willingness to sacrifice his wealth for the church, his motive is displeasing to God.

Deceptive practice to amass wealth is running rampant in our society. A false weight will only ruin the practice of honest transactions. Dishonest practices will further inflame dishonesty throughout the society. They even threaten the moral fabrics of the society. Everyone can be tempted to earn wealth through deceptive practices. Believers are no exception from such a practice. Imagine what a church would look life if Christians practiced the same kind of deceptiveness and dishonesty. If an employee fails to disclose information that should be disclosed, if the hospital reaps a huge profit out of selling medications, if a politician makes false promises to voters just to gain a seat in the political arena, if a merchant sells meat with a rigged scale, then the whole society would be heading towards destruction. Greed and fraudulent claims will compromise the high standards of a church. Such deceptiveness is an insult to the principle of loving one another in a church.

Once we allow Satan to gain a foothold in our life, the influence of the world will start invading the church and it ultimately leads to the loss of our testimony before the world. “An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.” (Proverbs 20:21) Having a double standard towards life is displeasing to God. Those who uphold a lawless lifestyle will be the biggest losers in the end, though they may be the biggest winners temporarily.

Church life for sure involves seekers of the Gospel. Believers should seize this opportunity to uphold Christ’s teaching, to love one another and to bless others so that the seekers will know that believers belong to God, and that the Church is a place full of blessings from above. Jesus is the Lord of the Church.

In addition, marketplace secularism affects our sincerity and love towards one another. The world talks about own rights and privileges, and looks down on an authentic relationship. Ananias lost an opportunity to glorify God. He kept a portion to himself, but publicly claimed that he had given all of it. In the end, we see a tragic ending. The consequences are more than just a lost opportunity. It reminds us what we should do to reflect Christ’s transformation in us.

Spirit-filled believers reflect God in their words and deeds. Their lifestyle reflects God’s glory. A renowned writer, Dorothy Sayers once mentions that work is not primarily doing something, but the thing we are convicted to live for. Work is an extension of self. His work will tell whether he is secure, sincere, or humble.

A research institute of the Columbia University has conducted a survey, in which 1,500 people talked about their view towards work and ethics. Four out of five people believe that in order to reach a CEO position, one must compromise his/her own ethical standards. (Some even think that it is necessary to falsify things, or lower his/her professional ethical standards to stay in the game.) Only one out of five thinks that those who ultimately make it to the top must uphold their own ethical standpoint. A high standard will encourage the subordinates to be willing to follow the leader.

Today, the Church life is under the influence of the world. Underneath our courtesy or our refined language, we are hiding from an opportunity for genuine fellowship. We talk about how others accept us, but we are unwilling to share or encourage one another under God’s guidance. We do not have Christ’s mindset as our own. We are unwilling to sincerely, openly talk about things in Christ, comfort one another, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Instead, we probe into other people’s lives through rumors and curiosity, and stir up unnecessary speculations. The Church should be a place for sincere fellowship, but because of people’s speculations and assumptions, people are being hurt.

Unauthenticity leads to gossiping. Gossips are unproductive. Speculations are involved and many people are pulled into them for no good reason. Gossips are passed on like tabloids–one to ten, ten to a hundred. Isn’t this attitude of insincerity exactly what Acts 5 warns us against?

Believers need to have the same mindset of Christ. Refuse to yield to the temptation of gossiping. This way, as believers of Christ in Church, we exhibit good words and deeds in our daily life, and help lead Gospel seekers away from the culture of the world and enter the healthy environment of the Church (Colossians 3:1-15, Philippians 2:2-1).

Psalms 133 depicts how godly community should live. Each member lives under the calling of the one True God, and one sees one another as the gift from the Lord. God says that goodness, beauty, and living peacefully together are more valuable than Alan’s oil. This is a powerful witness to the whole world, and a predestined blessing from God.

When there is truth in God’s family, and there are people who walk by the truth, then all members of the body will live accordingly. In her church, there is life, healing, as well as forgiveness and acceptance. This is the kind of church life depicted in Colossians 3:12-17.

When Timothy was sent to Ephesus to pastor a church, it was a time when the secular thoughts were invading the Church. Paul expounds church life in view of the secular influence from the church. (I Timothy 5:1-2)

Paul instructs Timothy with the following advice to the members of the local church. Paul taught that, to the elderly, we not only need to respect, but also to treat them with kindness. Paul asked the Church to encourage the elderly to grow in Christ, just like the younger ones. Both the elderly and the young need guidance. The elderly have rich life experience. They know how to survive in society. Nevertheless, they need to learn humility and grow.

To the young, we must not look down on them because of their age. Do not refrain ourselves from giving them timely care and heartfelt communication. We have to encourage them to step forward, and treat them as our close siblings. From all aspects of our life, we humbly encourage them and support them so that they will be a new generation in the Kingdom of God.

The elderly ladies are members of the Church who are more at ease. In church life, each one has a God-given gift. Each one can be placed in a strategic position. The Church should encourage them to be models of godliness, and to learn to listen, so that the next generation can build a strong spiritual foundation because of them.

The younger ladies are willing to serve. In modern day churches, they are the biggest group of people who are energized to serve. They are willing to step forward to serve God, and so churches need to encourage and mentor them even more.

When we see the Church as a family, we can encourage brothers and sisters to demonstrate Christ’s love and to build relationships. If we have already experienced life transformation in the family of Church, and become a member of this family, we should be even more willing to take on the responsibility to spread the Gospel. We need to transform our values, and live a God-centered life. May Christ plant the seed of truth in us, whose physical body is destined to perish. This way, the New Testament Church can surely be the light and the salt of this world. With transformation and renewal, the Church impacts the community, and bring blessing to nations. This is a wise man’s desire. This is also my prayer.

Lastly, I would like to encourage all believers to stay healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually. Move away from the lifestyle of the old self, and let God’s will be done in our lives.