SCRIPTURE: Acts 15
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. [John 13:35] Can a church have disputes, disagreements? Yes, for sure. The unity of the church does not lie in its total agreement, but in its determination to act with love, regardless of differences.
Jewish believers genuinely struggled with welcoming non-Jewish believers into the community, unless they observed the laws of Moses. Paul and Barnabas were sent to consult with the leaders in Jerusalem. In this we see the Spirit of love at work through a decision sensitive to the concerns of Jewish believers, yet also to the concerns of Gentile believers. This was not a compromise, it was a clear decision: NO, they do not need to submit to the law of Moses and be circumcised.
The 4 ‘exceptions’ were relevant issues of that day: participating in religious meals that included meat from strangled animals, with its blood, or sacrificed on pagan altars; sexual immorality likely connected to temple prostitution as well. Paul addresses these concerns later in 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, where his main point is that we should not cause others to stumble because of our freedom. In other words, don’t provoke others unecessarily. I like how the decision was made through prayerful deliberation, with the outcome that their decision was by them and the Spirit [Acts 15:28]. This is a reminder that we should not simply make decisions on our own, but that the Spirit’s guidance works through community.
The unity of this chapter is sadly broken by the dispute between Paul and Barnabas about John Mark. Barnabas (whose name means ‘son of encouragement) wants to give Mark (his cousin) a second chance, while Paul is concerned about Mark’s loyalty. In the end, they separate, which raises the question (for me) about Paul and grace. Why was he not more gracious? We can maybe make a case for saying that Paul was right, that Mark needed to be disciplined (not rejected outright). But maybe we also need to see that Paul was still learning and growing, a work in process. Not knowing all the details, I tend to side with Barnabas – past failure should not rule out anyone. However we see this, one thing is good, Paul and Mark later reconcile [Colossians 4:10].
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for giving me a spiritual support community. Help me to disagree with others in love, and help us to work together.
“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Not by the rituals that we impose upon one another. The church – the people – must be sure that they are not a stumbling block for those new to the faith. We all need to be stepping stones, helping one another. Accept one another in love and be encouragers of one another. Accept one another in love – let the grace of Christ also flow through us. May we all be instruments of His peace.
1. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring you love;
Where there is injury, your healing pow’r,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, – only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3. O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consolded as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul – .
4. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
LORD, forgive us (the church, believers) today when we too begin to impose rules/ judgements on others just as we read about in these verses today. We cannot do what You ordain to do by the power of the Holy Spirit! It is not our job to change anyone – that is the working of Your Holy Spirit. Our job is to love as You have loved, to forgive as You have forgiven, to reach out as You have reached out…….
Thank You LORD that everyone is saved by grace. A gift from You not by do’s and don’ts. Thank You LORD that Your word teaches us that You desire that all are to be saved!
Thank You LORD for the reminder that You know each person’s heart and that You graciously meet and love us as we are.
Thank You LORD for also revealing through these scriptures that there will be times of disagreement but that how we choose to respond and react and resolve conflict is vital to Your Kingdom plans and purposes. LORD, thank You that You can and do use every circumstance and situation to further Your Kingdom work despite our imperfections and inadequacies.
LORD, teach us how to love as You desire us to love, to lay all our differences aside, to celebrate them rather than using them to divide us.
Thank You LORD for the power of Your Holy Spirit and that we can walk in victory because of who You are! Thank You LORD that I am a continual work in process and that You are not done with me yet.