S. Acts 15:28-29 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
O. The Jewish leaders (Apostles) in Jerusalem met to decide how to handle the situation of some teachers who were telling Gentile converts that they had to obey the Law of Moses and be circumcised in addition to placing their faith in Jesus Christ.
The leaders realized through the unfolding of events that God was reaching Gentiles apart from the Law of Moses. They then concluded that the only thing they would ask of Gentile converts would be to keep away from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strrangled animals and from sexual immorality (all things God had instructed people to observe before the Law of Moses). These were areas of Gentile weakness or possibly ignorance that were repulsive to Jewish believers. These changes would enhance the relationship of Jewish and Gentile believers.
A. I think of salvation and sanctification. Salvation is certainly and only by God’s grace through faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Sanctification, which means “to be set apart,” is how we live our lives for Christ. I have witnessed that sometimes it’s good to not have to “dot” every “I” and “cross” every “T.” (meaning we will at times have our differences and as long as we agree on Salvation, some of the other things do not have to be a wall that separates us from othes). It is honoring to God when we look at our lifestyle of non essentials in the light of this text and in the light of Romans 14 and 15 and truly consider how we might love, encourage and build up others without insisting on our own way.
P. Thank you Father for yoru word today. Thank you Jesus that you secured for us a complete salvation that is obtained gy God’s grace through faith. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to be mindful that there are some “non essential” beliefs that I might have as I live out my faith. Help me to not always insist that others embrace my non essentials and that I do all I can to build others up. In Jesus’ name.
