Acts 15:2b: … So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Why is it in our human nature to take what God has so simply given us and make is so stinkin complicated? Salvation is so straightforward (simple in command – a daily struggle in practice) – ACCEPT THE FREE GIFT OF CHRIST. That’s it. Why do we add our own crap to it? In this passage, God had clearly given the invitation of grace to the Gentiles and the same Holy Spirit in Cornelius’ house (Acts 10:47-48). Why then did those from Judea and Antioch think some aspect of the law (and WOW what an aspect!) – a longstanding tradition – was required to receive the grace of God through Jesus Christ?
My belief? Jealousy… Pride… They didn’t really want the Gentiles to be saved, and if they did they should suffer for it. They were too steeped in “the way we do things around here”. I think they chose circumcision for two reasons: 1. It was a steep price to pay. It was painful and required suffering and they hoped it would dissuade the Gentiles from conversion. 2. More importantly, it was an outward expression, a visible sign, a way of keeping control and a way to stay in “high regard” and “be respected”… again PRIDE! They didn’t want all the “things” they had already done to not count! Can’t you hear their hearts? “How dare God give away salvation freely! How dare he give to the ‘heathen Gentiles’ the same salvation my people have suffered for and worked so hard for through the generations!”
You know what? I suffer from the same sickness… the same depravity. Jeer 17:9 says “The heart is more deceitful than all else; who can understand it?” My heart deceives me… not so much with salvation, but with God’s blessings. I have grown to understand and know of God’s saving grace and that I can never do ANYTHING to earn it. Not so with His blessing. I have, almost unconsciously, felt that I have to do the right things and do them consistently and long enough for God to bless me. I have sinned.
Father, I repent to you now for making my Christian walk more complicated that you require. You simply want my heart. You simply want me to be in love with you. I’ve said it a hundred times that we can’t work for or earn our salvation, but deep inside I’ve let my heart deceive me. I’ve taken the world concepts of “you can’t get something for nothing” and “you get what you pay for” and applied them to your blessing. Forgive me. Papa, you know I want all that you have for me. Help me get out of the way and help me to quit trying to “earn” or “pay for” your blessings. I’ve known that my salvation is by your grace and your grace alone, now I realize that your blessings are by your grace and by your grace alone. Thank you for loving me in spite of myself. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for blessing me. I love you. Amen.
Running After Papa…