May 16, 2016

Acts 15:19 NLT - "And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God."

Commentary:

Do you realize who made this statement?  It was James, the Lord's brother!  See Galatians 1:19.  James had listened to Paul, Silas, and Peter as well, as they explained how the Holy Spirit came on Gentile converts showing that they were fully acceptable to God without their having to keep the Law.  James and these other apostles were disturbed that there were Jewish leaders who were literally "making it difficult for the Gentiles who" were turning to God.  These legalists were trying to put rules and regulations for the new believers to adhere to in order to make them "good Christians."

We still see the same corrupt behavior happening in our day!  I personally grew up with that kind of mentality which taught a lot of "do's" and "don'ts" for believers to follow.  We were measuring our Christianity by how well we were doing the "do's" and avoiding the "don'ts"!  Little did we think of our love relationship with Christ.  We made people feel they were only acceptable to God when they were acceptable to our church leaders!  Shame on us for teaching that!

Another Daily Verse to come soon will be John 3:17, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."   I've often felt that if Jesus didn't come to condemn, then who in the world do we think we are to condemn others?!  Let us do everything we can to "receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God" Romans 15:7 NKJV.  If you're acceptable to Christ then you are acceptable to me!