Notable Goodwill

(Today’s audio reading on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2fyJW3qkac7XqSnClyXF9t)

…and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. (Acts 2:47)

These few words are significant. They testify of the effect of the Pentecost Day believers on outsiders. I take the “all people” to mean the people in the community and in the social networks that were connected to the believers. In other words, while great generosity and joy and care were taking place among the body, the people outside the body were noticing and responding with “goodwill”.

The goodwill meant that they had the favor of the people, or had won their respect. (Some reading this might immediately start making comparisons with how ‘outsiders’ feel about the stereotypical church presence and influence on modern society. In many places, and to many minds, it’s the opposite of favor and respect.)

I wonder, how did they win that respect? I can imagine any or all of the following: their generosity, and testimonies related to it, affected many; their practical caring for one another was well-known; their changed lives—which were evidenced by doing good—were inescapable of notice! The people at large were favorable to these believers, and the context was ripe for them to be respected.

This is another marvelous outcome of the Pentecost Day experience. We read of the supernatural evidences demonstrated in the lives of the new believers and we marvel, and find ourselves saying, “Lord, we are astounded at your power!”

Likewise, when we hear of the effects upon those outside this small but growing Christian body, our hearts respond with,

“Lord, what will it take for our witness to positively impact those who do not yet follow you?

“What goodwill do we need to show, realizing that we might be holding back on something?

“What comfort zone are we residing in that needs an adjustment?

“What will it take for goodwill to be the label to characterize the response to our actions by those around us?”

“Father, grant that the actions of your body of believers will result in remarkable goodwill of those around us, doing so in order for your Good News to travel further and take root.”