"'It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.'" Acts 15:19.
James, the brother of Jesus, was addressing the council gathered at Jerusalem concerning the Gentiles who were coming to know Jesus and putting their faith in Him. The council had heard both sides of the argument concerning whether the Gentiles needed to come under the Law of Moses. They also heard the compelling testimony of Paul's work among the Gentiles. At the conclusion of the meetings, James stated the opinion of the apostles: it should not be made difficult for the Gentiles to turn to God. In other words, they were not to be subjected to the Law of the Jews, and specifically to circumcision.
I find it interesting that we, as people, tend to put "laws" on each other. I know that on occasion I do this. I'll say something like, "If this person really loved Jesus, they should...read their Bible, pray more, spend more time in Christian fellowship (or some other "requirement"). Not that any of these things are bad. In fact, these disciplines are very helpful in our journey with God. I get in trouble when, like the Jewish believers at this early council meeting, I require something other than the central focus - putting my faith in Jesus.
Questions to consider: What "requirements" or "Laws" have you projected onto others around you? When have you done this to others? How do you “not make it difficult” for those around you?
Prayer: Father, please help me to not make it difficult for others to come into a relationship with You. Help me to love and to accept those around me, allowing You to do Your work in their heart. Amen.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
October 21, 2010 - Acts 15:12
“The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.” Acts 15:12.
Peter had spoken decisively to the council assembled in Jerusalem on behalf of the Gentile followers of Jesus. Attention was then turned to Barnabas and Paul, who told numerous stories of what God had done among the Gentiles on their missionary trip. The whole assembly listened intently as Barnabas and Paul spoke.
There is something to the power of telling stories. Growing up, I remember hearing different stories of adventure and horror, as well as being involved in the story-making of my own life. So often in my Christian journey, I get wrapped up in the head-knowledge of my faith, and I don’t pay attention to the activity – the story – the experience – of my daily walk with the living God. I realize that it is not just about what I know; instead I need to marvel at God’s daily activity in my journey. For example, I have grown to love sitting outside at night, gazing at the stars, and marveling at God’s awesomeness. We have much to enjoy in the stories of God ‘miraculous signs and wonders’ that happen each day.
Questions to consider: What are the stories that are happening in your life? How is God interacting with you in your story? What stories do those around you have to share? Have you taken time to listen?
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the stories of my life that You have written in me and through me. Please help me to be attentive to Your miraculous story in me and in those around me. Amen.
Peter had spoken decisively to the council assembled in Jerusalem on behalf of the Gentile followers of Jesus. Attention was then turned to Barnabas and Paul, who told numerous stories of what God had done among the Gentiles on their missionary trip. The whole assembly listened intently as Barnabas and Paul spoke.
There is something to the power of telling stories. Growing up, I remember hearing different stories of adventure and horror, as well as being involved in the story-making of my own life. So often in my Christian journey, I get wrapped up in the head-knowledge of my faith, and I don’t pay attention to the activity – the story – the experience – of my daily walk with the living God. I realize that it is not just about what I know; instead I need to marvel at God’s daily activity in my journey. For example, I have grown to love sitting outside at night, gazing at the stars, and marveling at God’s awesomeness. We have much to enjoy in the stories of God ‘miraculous signs and wonders’ that happen each day.
Questions to consider: What are the stories that are happening in your life? How is God interacting with you in your story? What stories do those around you have to share? Have you taken time to listen?
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the stories of my life that You have written in me and through me. Please help me to be attentive to Your miraculous story in me and in those around me. Amen.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
October 14, 2010 - Acts 15:11
"'No. We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.'" Acts 15:11.
Peter reminded his Jewish audience at the council meeting in Jerusalem that they should not put the Gentile believers under the ‘yoke’ of the Law of Moses. Peter stated, of his Jewish brothers' ability to live by the Law, that, "neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear" it themselves, so how could they put such a burden on the Gentiles? No one was able to fulfill God's standards by their own efforts, yet, by the grace of Jesus, all would have access to a relationship with the Father.
Even though I know in my head that I live by the grace of God, I sometimes act as if I find my way to God by my own works. I can tell when I do this by how I get upset at God for the bad things that happen to me. I say things like, "I didn't deserve this!" or "How come this happened to me?!?" or some other such thing. What I'm saying when I do this is that I deserve to be in God's presence because, after all, I'm such a nice guy and look at all the good things I've done! If this were true, Peter's comments are a lie and God's grace through Jesus doesn't exist. But, it does! It truly is by grace that I live. Will I humbly receive it and appreciate God's most incredible gift for me?
Questions to consider: Do you say that you live by grace, yet in some ways, live as if you can find your own way to God? What does that look like for you? What does it take for you to walk by God's grace?
Prayer: Father, forgive me for the times I act as though I can make it to You on my own merits, and thank You for accepting me because of the finished work of Jesus dying on the cross. Amen.
Peter reminded his Jewish audience at the council meeting in Jerusalem that they should not put the Gentile believers under the ‘yoke’ of the Law of Moses. Peter stated, of his Jewish brothers' ability to live by the Law, that, "neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear" it themselves, so how could they put such a burden on the Gentiles? No one was able to fulfill God's standards by their own efforts, yet, by the grace of Jesus, all would have access to a relationship with the Father.
Even though I know in my head that I live by the grace of God, I sometimes act as if I find my way to God by my own works. I can tell when I do this by how I get upset at God for the bad things that happen to me. I say things like, "I didn't deserve this!" or "How come this happened to me?!?" or some other such thing. What I'm saying when I do this is that I deserve to be in God's presence because, after all, I'm such a nice guy and look at all the good things I've done! If this were true, Peter's comments are a lie and God's grace through Jesus doesn't exist. But, it does! It truly is by grace that I live. Will I humbly receive it and appreciate God's most incredible gift for me?
Questions to consider: Do you say that you live by grace, yet in some ways, live as if you can find your own way to God? What does that look like for you? What does it take for you to walk by God's grace?
Prayer: Father, forgive me for the times I act as though I can make it to You on my own merits, and thank You for accepting me because of the finished work of Jesus dying on the cross. Amen.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
October 7, 2010 - Acts 15:8
"'God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.'" Acts 15:8.
A conflict arose in the early church over the inclusion of Gentiles into the fellowship of the followers of Jesus. Paul and Barnabas were instructed by the leadership at Antioch to go to Jerusalem to argue in favor of Gentile inclusion. At the Jerusalem council, after some debate, Peter stood to speak. Peter reminded the council of how God had used him to bring the message of Jesus to Cornelius and his family, all of whom were God-fearing Gentiles. He recalled how God was the one who filled the Gentiles with His Holy Spirit, as Peter and some other disciples witnessed the event. There was no doubt in Peter's mind what God intended. God was serving notice that all people now had access to a relationship with Jesus.
There have been times when I have conducted myself in similar ways to this group of Jewish followers of Jesus. I excluded some people for various (silly or stupid!) reasons from whatever group in which I was engaged. I realized that there was something within me that wanted to have an "in" group and an "out" group. When I realized this about myself, I was humbled and ashamed of my attitude. I saw that God accepts and includes all who come to Him in faith, so why should I exclude anyone, no matter what their background might be. To this day, I am challenged to be accepting of people and to view everyone on an equal footing with each other.
Questions to consider: Who are those that you have a hard time accepting or including in your conversation and fellowship with Jesus? Is there any group of people that you have a difficulty in accepting? What do you need to do to be more accepting of those around you?
Prayer: Father, give me eyes to see when I am not accepting of those around me and the heart to change in order to love my neighbor, whoever they might be. Amen.
A conflict arose in the early church over the inclusion of Gentiles into the fellowship of the followers of Jesus. Paul and Barnabas were instructed by the leadership at Antioch to go to Jerusalem to argue in favor of Gentile inclusion. At the Jerusalem council, after some debate, Peter stood to speak. Peter reminded the council of how God had used him to bring the message of Jesus to Cornelius and his family, all of whom were God-fearing Gentiles. He recalled how God was the one who filled the Gentiles with His Holy Spirit, as Peter and some other disciples witnessed the event. There was no doubt in Peter's mind what God intended. God was serving notice that all people now had access to a relationship with Jesus.
There have been times when I have conducted myself in similar ways to this group of Jewish followers of Jesus. I excluded some people for various (silly or stupid!) reasons from whatever group in which I was engaged. I realized that there was something within me that wanted to have an "in" group and an "out" group. When I realized this about myself, I was humbled and ashamed of my attitude. I saw that God accepts and includes all who come to Him in faith, so why should I exclude anyone, no matter what their background might be. To this day, I am challenged to be accepting of people and to view everyone on an equal footing with each other.
Questions to consider: Who are those that you have a hard time accepting or including in your conversation and fellowship with Jesus? Is there any group of people that you have a difficulty in accepting? What do you need to do to be more accepting of those around you?
Prayer: Father, give me eyes to see when I am not accepting of those around me and the heart to change in order to love my neighbor, whoever they might be. Amen.
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