Acts 15:7-21
There was sharp disagreement between the Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians (if I may be allowed to even make such a distinction). The fact is, in that early fledgling church, they did make a distinction. Even then, there was a sense of them and us. What have we done to deserve salvation? What have we done to earn the love of God and the Spirit of the living God?
We have done nothing, absolutely nothing. We could never, in a thousand lifetimes, earn enough, do enough or love enough to actually earn the love of God. We are not capable enough and His love for us is so immense. His love is beyond our comprehension. So on what do we base the gifts that He has given us? Purely love and our faith.
When each one of us is born we are masterpieces of his handiwork. But not just then, from the moment we were conceived in God's mind we are masterpieces and He has great plans for us. We are a piece of the puzzle that He knows is needed to complete His design of creation. We may never discern it but He knows what that purpose is. On a fundamental level that purpose is to love and to seek him.
So there is no need to place a 'yoke on the necks of the disciples' (us) that God does not place there. God gives all freely, willingly and lovingly. All we need do is accept and know from where our riches come. Appreciate God's love, revel in it, celebrate it and share it.
We have been given all this freely and with abundant love.
There was sharp disagreement between the Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians (if I may be allowed to even make such a distinction). The fact is, in that early fledgling church, they did make a distinction. Even then, there was a sense of them and us. What have we done to deserve salvation? What have we done to earn the love of God and the Spirit of the living God?
We have done nothing, absolutely nothing. We could never, in a thousand lifetimes, earn enough, do enough or love enough to actually earn the love of God. We are not capable enough and His love for us is so immense. His love is beyond our comprehension. So on what do we base the gifts that He has given us? Purely love and our faith.
When each one of us is born we are masterpieces of his handiwork. But not just then, from the moment we were conceived in God's mind we are masterpieces and He has great plans for us. We are a piece of the puzzle that He knows is needed to complete His design of creation. We may never discern it but He knows what that purpose is. On a fundamental level that purpose is to love and to seek him.
So there is no need to place a 'yoke on the necks of the disciples' (us) that God does not place there. God gives all freely, willingly and lovingly. All we need do is accept and know from where our riches come. Appreciate God's love, revel in it, celebrate it and share it.
We have been given all this freely and with abundant love.
After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.’
The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, ‘My brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favourably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,
“After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;
from its ruins I will rebuild it,
and I will set it up,
so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—
even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.
Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.”
Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.’
“After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;
from its ruins I will rebuild it,
and I will set it up,
so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—
even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.
Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.”
Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.’
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