Acts Day 46 - Peculiar People?

2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

It's an easy thing to pass by and give little thought to. Much of the Bible and much of life is like that. In our hurry to accomplish lots we miss almost everything. Today's detail that I came very close to passing by is in verse 47 - "and having favour with all the people".

My favourite author wrote that the best argument for Christianity is a loving and loveable Christian. There should be a silent drawing power in Christians. The French would call it a certain "je ne sais quoi". What that means is that strangers may not be able to explain why they are drawn to us, but they are drawn none the less.

I remember reading a book by Philip Yancey in which he described his high school or college reunion. He had gone to a Christian school yet he said the bulk of the conversation among his classmates reunited after so many years was a litany of complaints and problems. He described it as categorically depressing. In other words anyone who wasn't a Christian listening in on their pity party would certainly not be compelled to become one.

Jesus had drawing power. He didn't need a campaign manager or a promotional department. Crowds gathered to hear Him. They searched to find Him. They spent hours and sometimes days listening to Him. They said things like "never did a man speak like this man". He had a certain "je ne sais quoi".

Love draws. Kindness draws. Positivity draws. Optimism draws. However it's more than just those things. When a person lives primarily for the benefit of others it stands out. It's not normal but in a great way. Too often our Biblical designation to be a "peculiar people" has been translated to be a "weird people". Weird does not draw people, at least not in a good way. Dressing in a strict manner that is counter cultural is not how Jesus drew people. Eating a strict diet and making sure everyone knows about it is not how Jesus drew people. Trumpeting some cause like DC lobbyist is not how Jesus drew people.

Luke tells us that these new followers of Jesus were attractive to everyone. People liked them. People admired them. People were drawn to them.

The peace that comes from knowing we are loved as we are, loved so much that our Messiah died for us and forgave us when we were still His enemies is life changing. The truth that I don't have to earn His favour through performance is liberating. Not only is it personally freeing, but it frees me to love others before they deserve it and undeserved love is very attractive.

You see it's true. The best argument for Christianity is not tofu promotion, ankle length black dresses, anti (fill in the cause) lobbying or anything of the sort. The best argument is being loving and lovable.

Find Jesus and the rest will take care of itself.