Boundaries Not Barriers

July 27         

(Acts 15:19 NIV) “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” 

(Acts 15:28-29 NIV) “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.”

(Ephesians 2:11-22 NIV) “Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- {12} remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. {13} But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. {14} For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, {15} by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, {16} and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. {17} He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. {18} For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. {19} Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. {21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

James made a grace-filled statement at the end of the Council of Jerusalem. Basically he said, “Let’s keep it simple, and not make it difficult for people to turn to Christ. It shouldn’t be hard to get into the church. Let’s do away with the legalistic burdens. The church should be about inviting people in, not about keeping people out. The church will have some boundaries, but it shouldn’t be about building barriers.” James called for a few basic requirements regarding food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality, but other than that, the church was open to all sinners saved by God’s amazing grace. Christ’s church should be accessible to all those seeking and celebrating salvation. Some basic boundaries are necessary, but the church should not be in the business of creating barriers. We are called to labor at bringing them in… not work to keep them out. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Equal Opportunity Savior

July 26

(Acts 15:7 NIV) “Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. {8} God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. {9} He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.”

(Romans 10:1-13 NIV) ““Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. {2} For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. {3} Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. {4} Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. {5} Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." {6} But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down) {7} "or 'Who will descend into the deep?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). {8} But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: {9} That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

Jesus is an equal opportunity Savior. Peter learned this when he preached to the Gentiles and they received the Holy Spirit -- the same Holy Spirit that the Jewish disciples had received. Peter concluded that God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile when it comes to salvation. Paul the apostle came to this same conclusion. He advocated for Gentiles to be included as full members of the Church, without requiring circumcision. Salvation comes by grace through faith to all who believe. Jesus came to save every lost person. He died for the sins of the whole world. Peter said that God “made no distinction”. Paul said “there is no difference”. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord can be saved. Anyone whose heart had been purified by faith was welcome in the body of Christ. This was the “big tent” policy of the early church. Is this your church’s policy? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Leadership Decision

July 25

(Acts 15:13, 19 NIV) “When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me… {19} "It is my judgment, therefore…”

(Hebrews 13:7, 17 NIV)  "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. {17} Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

(1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV)  "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

The Council of Jerusalem ended with a leadership decision. James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, spoke up and said, “I’ve heard all the arguments. We’ve prayed and listened to God for a time. And now, here’s my decision. This is the direction we are going to go.” As far as we know, there was no vote taken that day. They took time to build consensus, but there is no record of any official vote. The church, contrary to what many believe, has never been a democracy. James had been called to lead, and he acted like a leader. He had been entrusted by God to lead the church in Jerusalem, and on this day he spoke with the authority that God had bestowed upon him. This decision by James set a precedent for the early church -- one that has not changed. Salvation comes by grace through faith, not through obedience to the Law. It was a good decision! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Agreeing With God

July 24

(Acts 15:28 NIV)  “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us...”

(John 14:16-17, 26 NIV) “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- {17} the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you… {26} But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

(2 Peter 1:19-21 NIV) “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. {20} Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. {21} For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus told His disciples that He would not leave them alone. He would send them a Counselor -- the Holy Spirit, who would guide them and empower them. Jesus kept His promise. Today, we who believe have this same Holy Spirit to direct us. He helps us interpret and understand Scripture. He lights our path as we traverse the narrow way. Christ calls us to live out His teaching and walk in harmony with the Holy Spirit. When we live our lives in cooperation with the Counselor, we cease making decisions all on our own and solely for our personal benefit. This was the strength of the early church. In so many different areas of life, they could say with integrity, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” When we can also say with integrity that we are in agreement with the Holy Spirit, we will make godly decisions that glorify the Lord. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day