At that time, it was unsafe to join the Church if one is not fully committed to the Way. After what happened to Ananias and Sapphira? No one would dare to pretend or cross the apostles. But verse 14 says, nevertheless they grew more and more as many put their faith in Christ.
The Church today is filled with people who are not committed to Christ. They are there for fun, for short-lived bursts of godliness and feel good moments. This wouldn't happen in the Early Church, after a demonstration of God's holiness in the situation about Ananias and Sapphira, you would be scared to be in a place where God is. I think the problem is we don't have a high standard of commitment and holiness in the body. We have been an "inclusive" community, when if you think about it, Jesus' way was "exclusive". There was a clear line of being inside and outside the community. John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the father except through me. In another part, Jesus says, "If anyone would follow me, he must deny himself, pick-up his cross, and follow me." What would it look like if we are serious about asking people for commitment? ...if we are serious and clear about discipleship (what it looks like to follow Jesus)? I think the same thing will happen just like in the Early Church. With a high standard of commitment to Christ, only the serious followers will follow. No one--those who are playing around, those who are half hearted, people who have a sense of entitlement but without fruit--would dare to join. Sometimes in our effort to win people to the community we try to water down, blur, and lower the bar of discipleship (ie following Christ). Yes, grace is free, but it's priceless. And be careful about making works as a requirement of salvation. But to be a grace-loving, salvation-not-by-works follower without a clear standard of commitment and purity to Christ, something is wrong with that picture.
Of course, no one is more hit by this than myself. Am I a grace-loving, salvation-not-by works follower of Christ with a clear standard of commitment and purity to Christ? Would I dare to join the body of Christ in those days? Upon this reflection we might decide to do one of these things: flight or fight. Flight: I run away from Christ because I am not ready to make that commitment. Or because I don't think I deserve to be part of a holy community when I am fully aware of my misgivings. Or fight: I will fight my way through this flesh and continue running with the body of Christ, "throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that entangles, and run the race marked out for us." I will fight for my right as a child of God, saved by grace in Christ. I will be strong and courageous, though at honestly at times I am not; but I can be strong and courageous because Christ called me to be one. Many people lack the courage to stay the path these days. It's celebrated when people quit and "follow their hearts". But only few have the courage to stay, brave the storm, and win the prize... "the prize that Christ has called me heavenward."
