PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 15:12-21
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” (Acts 15:19)
James is concerned about making it hard for people to turn to God.
What does this mean for us as we seek to help people know and follow Jesus?
If God is working among these ‘outsiders’, should we make it hard for them?
What about the important church rules and requirements?
I am also curious why James mentions only these four limits (v.20)?
Would we set these same four limits on God-seekers today?
What about lying, stealing, killing, dishonouring God’s Name?
Looking at James’ list, it seems very context specific.
My sense is that these would all make sense in sacred religious practices.
Is James cautioning new believers not to hang on to their old religious practices.
What sticks with me is the question: are we making it hard for people to turn to God?
Are we opening doors for Jesus-seekers, or putting up walls and barriers?
If we had to put limits, what limits might we put on them… and why?
Am I making it difficult, or not difficult, for people to find Jesus?
PRAYER
Lord, you went out of your way to remove every barrier between us and God. You have made it easy for us to come to God. Help me to do the same!
“that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” Often when someone comes from a different people group, race or culture, we are suspicious if they are sincere when they say they accept Jesus. We need to be open that the spirit leads and can work in the hearts of all people – we should not put barriers in the way or be judgmental – instead we need to be facilitative to their growing in knowing Christ. It is not up to us – we need to be faithful in representing Jesus – to testify to the hope we have.