God’s Word Says….

Acts 15:20-21 (NCV)
20 Instead, we should write a letter to them telling them these things: Stay away from food that has been offered to idols (which makes it unclean), any kind of sexual sin, eating animals that have been strangled, and blood. 21 They should do these things, because for a long time in every city the law of Moses has been taught. And it is still read in the synagogue every Sabbath day.”

My Thoughts…..

After deep study on these verses I believe that I understand what James was trying to accomplish in what he said to the Jews gathered. Because of other scripture, we know that James was very aware that there is only one thing required for salvation. In fact, today is Good Friday, a day that commemorates the day that Jesus was crucified. A powerful sacrifice made for our forgiveness of sin. Powerful, because He could have taken the liberty of also being the Son of God, and prevented the enormous pain, agony, embarrassment, and mockery of public crucifixion. There are many accounts in scripture where we saw the power of Jesus – raising the dead; turning water into wine; healing the blind and the crippled, etc. so we know that He could have just as easily performed a miracle to avoid the cross. So James, knowing that there is nothing more needed for salvation – no add-ons, yet he proposed that the letter back to the new Gentile converts include conditions. What he was actually doing here is leaving the door of opportunity for these new converts to be accepted by his Jewish brothers, because he knew that one day they (the Gentiles) may very well have to witness to their Jewish counterparts about their lost (life without Jesus) condition. The conditions included were a type of compromise that would allow the Jews to accept what Paul and Barnabas said was happening among the Gentiles.

Challenge……

This story perfectly illustrates how we may have to sometime ‘go with the flow’, as long as it is not sin, in order to keep the windows of opportunity open with those that we are trying to reach. In 2 Timothy 2:10 Paul told Timothy that he was not only willing to be tied in chains, but to do anything if it would help in leading his fellow countrymen to salvation in Jesus Christ. So how is it with you friend? What are you willing to do to reach that lost family member or friend that you are praying for? Are you keeping the doors of communication opened? Are you showing them that you are just as human as they are, and that you understand the pain and struggles that they might be going through, some of which might be standing in their way of decision for the Lord? To earn that person’s trust, they need to know that you can identify with them. To enable you to speak to their heart, they must have your trust. Jesus was just a humble, servant kind’a man, yet He had more power than anyone in the whole world. Can you be that humble – for the ultimate good of mankind? How important is the salvation of the person at the top of your prayer list to you?

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, my heart is heavy today as I reflect on all that You willingly suffered on Calvary’s rugged cross, just so that I might have forgiveness of sin, and look forward to eternity in Heaven with You. But praise God, I am overjoyed in knowing that You loved even me, a mere sinner saved by grace, enough to compromise Your power over those that carried out the acts at Golgotha on that dismal day that we now call Good Friday! You loved me enough to lay down Your life for me! Thank You Jesus! Please touch the hearts of those that will hear this message again this weekend. May they surrender their sinful lives over to our resurrected, loving and living Lord, is my humble prayer to You. Please show my friends reading this devotional, and myself what sacrifices are necessary in our lives so that You may have liberty in working through us to witness to those that burden our hearts today. For I ask all this in the name of the resurrected and living Lord that I adore, Jesus the Christ, God’s only Son, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.