Leviticus 12, 13
Acts 15
Food for Life:
Leviticus 12,13
As we continue to read through the Bible we are in the midst of reading the laws regulating hygiene and disease. "Unclean" in these chapters is referring to contagious disease and not sin. Leprosy is being referred to as the "infectious skin disease." Folks were quarantined while determining if it was leprosy as well as after it was confirmed...there were no blood tests to determine what was in the body's system! :)
Acts 15
"God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them [non-Jews/Gentiles] by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are" (15:8-11, italics mine).
I love that God looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance and actions. Not at the things we do or don't do. He looks at our hearts - the desires, motivations, and intentions. The Jewish Christians were expecting the Gentile Christians to be circumcised in addition to following other Old Testament Laws as part of becoming Christians. Peter told them during this Council meeting that it was by grace through faith that everyone was saved, not be following the laws, including circumcision. Of course, this does not mean that our appearance and actions are not important - it means that our actions and appearance flow from our hearts as an outgrowth of our relationship with Jesus and our sanctification (process of maturity in Christ until we reach heaven!).
Peter was saying that it was by receiving the act of Jesus on the cross for forgiveness of sin, and consequent Lord's filling of the Holy Spirit that people are saved....plus....nothing. Today we can 'put on others and ourselves' certain acts to convey these must be done in order to be saved or prove that we are saved. This is not Scriptural. This is Jesus plus _____, you can fill in the blank. The blank could be filled in with, "women must wear skirts, men must wear ties to church, everyone must: go to church every Sunday, mid-week service, read your Bible everyday, pray everyday, don't go to movies... ." This is called legalism. It is placing expectations on self or others as part of salvation that the Bible doesn't teach.
This being said, there are some very helpful things that can aid us in growing in our relationship with the Lord. There are activities we do as a result of our relationship with Jesus. Spiritual disciplines - including Bible reading/meditation/study, prayer, acts of service, church participation, missions trips and giving, tithing and offerings, and fasting and prayer. There are also evidences that we belong to Jesus, that we are reconciled with God, that we are God's children (John 1:12,13). Am I, are you, evidencing today that we are born-again, filled with the Holy Spirit? Do we have the fruit of the Spirit evident in our lives and in growing ways? - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Humility, and Self-control?
The Message puts Galatians 5:22, 23 this way:
Acts 15
Food for Life:
Leviticus 12,13
As we continue to read through the Bible we are in the midst of reading the laws regulating hygiene and disease. "Unclean" in these chapters is referring to contagious disease and not sin. Leprosy is being referred to as the "infectious skin disease." Folks were quarantined while determining if it was leprosy as well as after it was confirmed...there were no blood tests to determine what was in the body's system! :)
Acts 15
"God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them [non-Jews/Gentiles] by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are" (15:8-11, italics mine).
I love that God looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance and actions. Not at the things we do or don't do. He looks at our hearts - the desires, motivations, and intentions. The Jewish Christians were expecting the Gentile Christians to be circumcised in addition to following other Old Testament Laws as part of becoming Christians. Peter told them during this Council meeting that it was by grace through faith that everyone was saved, not be following the laws, including circumcision. Of course, this does not mean that our appearance and actions are not important - it means that our actions and appearance flow from our hearts as an outgrowth of our relationship with Jesus and our sanctification (process of maturity in Christ until we reach heaven!).
Peter was saying that it was by receiving the act of Jesus on the cross for forgiveness of sin, and consequent Lord's filling of the Holy Spirit that people are saved....plus....nothing. Today we can 'put on others and ourselves' certain acts to convey these must be done in order to be saved or prove that we are saved. This is not Scriptural. This is Jesus plus _____, you can fill in the blank. The blank could be filled in with, "women must wear skirts, men must wear ties to church, everyone must: go to church every Sunday, mid-week service, read your Bible everyday, pray everyday, don't go to movies... ." This is called legalism. It is placing expectations on self or others as part of salvation that the Bible doesn't teach.
This being said, there are some very helpful things that can aid us in growing in our relationship with the Lord. There are activities we do as a result of our relationship with Jesus. Spiritual disciplines - including Bible reading/meditation/study, prayer, acts of service, church participation, missions trips and giving, tithing and offerings, and fasting and prayer. There are also evidences that we belong to Jesus, that we are reconciled with God, that we are God's children (John 1:12,13). Am I, are you, evidencing today that we are born-again, filled with the Holy Spirit? Do we have the fruit of the Spirit evident in our lives and in growing ways? - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Humility, and Self-control?
The Message puts Galatians 5:22, 23 this way:
"22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified."
"Lord, fill each one of us up to overflowing, continually with Your Spirit. Evidence Your Life through us more and more each day. Thank You Lord."
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