Different Approaches To Serving / Part 2

Different Approaches To Serving
Which Ananias?Part 2

Last month we looked at Ananias, the approval-seeker and Ananias, the risk-taker. This month we conclude by looking at Ananias, the ladder-climber.

Ananias: The Religious Ladder-Climber
Our final Ananias was also a Jew, a devout observer of the Law and highly respected. Through years of devoted work he climbed the Jewish religious ladder, and eventually became their high priest (Acts 23:2). The office of high priest was created by God Himself, and in the days when Israel was central to God’s dealings with man, it was a privileged job with awesome responsibility.

But times were changing and God’s dealings with man were changing. Not aware of these changes, Ananias held on tightly to his power: not political, since the Romans had that; not spiritual either, since the emerging Church of Christ had that. Ananias defended the only power he could still control: organized religion and economic influence. When the Lord removes His lampstand (His presence) from a local church, the leadership is left in the same position as Ananias.

After being an exemplary Pharisee, Paul had now become a great irritation to Ananias and other religious leaders. Initially it was Jesus who challenged Jewish authority. Now His followers were not submitting to their leadership. Paul’s selfless abandonment in the pursuit of the expansion of the Church of Christ, was interpreted by them this way: “We have found this man to be a trouble maker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ring leader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple” (Acts 24:5-6).

This highlights a latent danger in all forms of organized religion: spiritual growth is equated with progressing within religious structures. Christians with this approach to spirituality strive to be “on the board of directors.” Then they must show that they are worthy. Next they must defend their post. Perhaps that’s why the Lord has designed His Church in such a way that the maximum authority on earth is given to the local church leaders, with only Christ above them. There is simply no big ladder to climb!

A while back I read that it is very unlikely that a believer will be able to live 50 years in a “Christian circle” that does not have some form of schism. Division among God’s people is always painful, but moreso among those who love religious ladders and authority structures. Is it possible to have “sincere love for your brothers ... deeply, from the heart” (1 Pet. 1:22) during periods of conflict? Some would say, “Yes, as long as those who disagree with me are willing to obey the truth the way I do.” We are prone to think that if a brother is honest before God, he will see the truth as I see it. And we are inclined to see all differences as carnal, legal, non-spiritual, loose or disobedient.

In Acts 23 Paul was made to stand before the Sanhedrin. The Apostle opened his defense this way: “‘My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.’ At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth’” (Acts 23:1-2). What had Paul said that irritated Ananias so much? Why such aggression? It had become impossible for Ananias to see the possibility that his adversary was acting with a clear conscience before God.

Perhaps if we allow in our mind the possibility that a brother or sister can understand a portion of Scripture differently from us, and do so with a clear conscience before God, it would reduce our urge to “strike him on the mouth.” It may help us practice sincere love in the midst of conflict. Truth is obviously more important than conscience. Paul, for example, had a clear conscience while killing Christians. In doing so, Paul was wrong, but he was not a hypocrite, not perverse.

Ananias and his friends were determined to get rid of Paul. They felt it their duty given their position on the religious ladder. They assumed, took solemn oaths, planned, used pretexts, and were devious (Acts 21:29; 23:12-15). When the Romans transferred Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea, Ananias still felt bound to duty. His approach to spirituality required this thorough pursuit. He took some elders and his lawyer Tertullus, and they “brought their charges against Paul before the governor” (Acts 24:1).

Human-powered religion relies on group pressure and religious lawyers. God’s truth stands firm and calm. But, if we were in Paul’s shoes, or in Paul’s chains, how would we feel towards Ananias? Ananias succeeded in that Paul died without ever regaining his freedom. Was that fair? Was Paul planning to strike back? Did he seek revenge?

Paul remained useful under these difficult conditions, by not allowing bitterness, anger or resentment to get a grip on his heart. We are told that “man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (Jas. 1:20). Three disciplines protected Paul’s heart: he knew that the Lord was with him (Acts 23:11); he behaved so as “to keep a clear conscience before God and man” (Acts 24:16); and he never forgot who had called him and for what purpose. He was restricted but not silent, surrounded but not fearful, in chains but still an ambassador (Eph. 6:19-20).

Is bitterness, anger or resentment taking root in our hearts? There is no justification. This dangerous and defiling acid emerges as we seek to defend ourselves. It must be recognized and confessed as sin. Then we can follow Paul’s three disciplines to protect our hearts and keep us useful.

The Lord then used these frustrating and restrictive conditions to refocus Paul’s ministry. His imprisonment made it possible for him to witness to governor Felix, Porcius Festus, King Agrippa and Bernice, high ranking officers and leaders of the city, and many in Rome (Acts 24:2,10,27; 25:23; 28:30-31). He also had more time available to write apostolic letters.

Have we recently lost a loved one? Is our freedom being limited by age or bad health? Are we going through some financial crisis? Could it be that the Lord is using change, pain or conflict to redirect our area of service? Thank the Lord for His past faithfulness. Don’t stare at the limitations. Look up and move calmly through the new doors the Lord opens. The Lord’s prophetic words to the previous Ananias begun to be fulfilled: “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and their kings” (Acts 9:15).

Which Ananias Will It Be?
Paul desired that new believers would grow and become “spiritual” (1 Cor. 3:1). The local church needs “spiritual” people (Gal. 6:1). Which Ananias best reflects your approach to spirituality? Being spiritual is not a state we reach, but rather a way we live, a road we walk with Jesus. Early Christians were those who “belonged to the Way” (Acts 9:2). They worshiped God as followers of the Way (Acts 24:14).

The term “the Way” suggests motion and destination. We are neither called to jump and smile for those standing on the sidelines, nor to seek the approval of those walking with us in the Way – like the first Ananias. There are no such things as ladders, structures and privileged positions on this road to spirituality. We shall progress no faster by condemning other ways or by criticizing other Christians’ walking styles. We need not be aggressive, like the last Ananias. The Way is the same, but the scene is constantly changing. Today it is sunny, but tomorrow it may be windy. Sometimes the road is up hill, and sometimes it leads besides quiet waters.

Fellow traveller, the only way to grow spiritually is to walk daily close to Jesus Christ our leader, enjoy His company, listen to His voice and obey His instructions – like the second Ananias. Please take some time to chew and digest again those well-known words of our Lord Jesus: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6).

By Philip Nunn