Fully Engaged: Living a Life All About Jesus

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In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get distracted and lose focus on what truly matters. As followers of Christ, we're called to live lives that are fully engaged with our faith, centered on Jesus, and powered by prayer. But what does that really look like in practice?

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The early church, as described in the book of Acts, provides a compelling example of what it means to be fully engaged in our faith. These early believers were so passionate about Jesus that their lives were completely transformed, and their impact continues to resonate through history.

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Being All About Jesus

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To be fully engaged in our faith, we must first and foremost be all about Jesus. This means seeking to obey Him, sharing Him with others, and trusting Him completely. The apostles Peter and John exemplified this attitude when they stood before the hostile Sanhedrin court. Despite facing threats and persecution, they boldly proclaimed the gospel, declaring, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

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When we're truly all about Jesus, it becomes evident to those around us. Even the religious leaders who opposed the apostles "recognized that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). Imagine if people could look at our lives and immediately see that we're walking with Jesus. What a powerful testimony that would be!

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The Power of Prayer

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Another crucial aspect of being fully engaged is maintaining a vibrant prayer life. When Peter and John were released from custody, their first instinct wasn't to strategize or worry – it was to gather with other believers and pray. Their prayer, known as the "prayer for boldness," teaches us several important lessons:

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1. Recognize God's power: They addressed God as the "Sovereign Lord who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them" (Acts 4:24). This acknowledgment of God's supreme authority puts our challenges into perspective.

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2. Know God's Word: The early believers incorporated Scripture (Psalm 2) into their prayer, demonstrating their familiarity with God's promises and using His Word to bolster their faith.

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3. Pray for God to be glorified: Rather than asking for an easy escape from their troubles, they prayed for boldness to continue spreading the gospel, even in the face of opposition.

 

How often do we approach prayer with this level of faith and focus on God's glory, rather than our own comfort?

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The Results of Full Engagement

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When we're all about Jesus and committed to prayer, amazing things happen. The early church experienced a powerful move of the Holy Spirit, resulting in unity, generosity, and effective ministry. Acts 4:32-35 paints a beautiful picture of a fully engaged community:

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"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."

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This passage demonstrates several key outcomes of a fully engaged faith:

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1. Unity: The believers were "of one heart and soul," united in their devotion to Christ and His mission.

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2. Generosity: They shared their possessions freely, ensuring that no one in their community was in need.

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3. Powerful witness: The apostles testified about Jesus with "great power," and God's grace was evident among them.

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4. Meeting needs: The church took care of its members, distributing resources to those in need.

It's important to note that this wasn't some form of early communism, but rather an overflow of hearts transformed by the love of Christ. The Greek word used to describe this sharing is "koinonia," which conveys the idea of being blessed to be a blessing. It's not about forced redistribution, but voluntary generosity motivated by love.

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Overcoming Distractions

 

In our modern world, countless things compete for our attention and devotion. We might find ourselves more passionate about our hobbies, careers, or personal interests than about Jesus. The challenge is to keep Christ at the center of our lives, even amidst the noise and busyness of daily life.

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Just as a distracted driver might miss their exit on the highway, we can easily lose sight of our true purpose if we're not intentional about staying focused on Jesus. We must regularly examine our hearts and ask ourselves: Is Jesus truly at the center of my life? Am I more excited to talk about Him than anything else?

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Practical Steps for Engagement

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So how can we cultivate this kind of fully engaged faith in our own lives? Here are a few practical suggestions:

1. Prioritize time with Jesus: Make daily Bible reading and prayer a non-negotiable part of your routine.

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2. Share your faith: Look for opportunities to talk about Jesus with others, both believers and non-believers.

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3. Serve others: Find ways to meet needs in your church and community, reflecting Christ's love through your actions.

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4. Pray boldly: Don't just pray for your own needs, but pray for God to be glorified and for opportunities to share the gospel.

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5. Live generously: Be willing to share your resources with others, trusting God to provide for your needs.

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6. Stay connected: Engage deeply with a community of believers who can encourage and challenge you in your faith.

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As we pursue a fully engaged faith, we can trust that God will work in and through us in ways that go beyond what we could ask or imagine. Like the early church, we can experience the power of the Holy Spirit, the joy of unity with other believers, and the privilege of seeing lives transformed by the gospel.

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Let's challenge ourselves to be all about Jesus, committed to prayer, and fully engaged in the mission He has given us. As we do, we may find that people begin to recognize that we, too, have "been with Jesus" – and there's no greater compliment a follower of Christ could receive.