(Read Acts 15:4-11)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to learn more about the amazing life of the Apostle Paul. Yesterday we left off with Paul and Barnabas, along with a team of Judean believers, heading back to Jerusalem to deal with the issue of whether or not Gentile converts to Christianity were required to be circumcised.
When the team arrived in Jerusalem Paul and Barnabas were welcomed by the whole church, including the Apostles and Elders. Paul and Barnabas reported everything God had done through them; putting the emphasis on God and not their own ability. The men had no qualms with making it clear that salvation comes by God’s Grace and not human effort. But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.” Therein lies the issue, and unfortunately about 2,000 years later we still have the same issue. The hardcore Jewish converts (Pharisees) insisted that Gentile converts be both circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses. But that is not the message Jesus preached and it is not the message Paul and Barnabas were preaching as they offered eternal life to non-Jews.
The Apostles and Elders met together, in private, to resolve this issue. At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as said, “Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe.” Paul was making it clear to the group that he, unlike many of them, was actually called by God to minister to the Gentiles. So, while the additional requirement of the Law of Moses might seem okay in Jerusalem, the message was not going to “fly” among the Gentile nations. You try and tell a grown man today that to become a Christian he must get circumcised and then never again break any of the 10 Commandments. If the circumcision does not scare him away, which it probably will, the daunting task of having to live a perfect life would probably do the trick. These Jewish converts were attempting to make it hard to become a Christian and Paul knew that their message was simply NOT God’s message.
Paul continued, “God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear?” Paul made the major point. If the Jewish converts who wanted to force Gentiles to live under the Law of Moses were honest with themselves, they would have to acknowledge the fact that they were never — neither before or after being Born-Again — able to perfectly fulfill the Law of Moses. So why try to make someone do what you could never do? Paul continued, “We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved Grace of the Lord Jesus.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few quick things:
1. The Jews could never fulfill the Law of Moses. Therefore, the Law condemned them and they needed a Savior.
2. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and to show everyone how He alone could be perfect. You and I cannot be perfect, but Jesus was perfect for us.
3. Jesus took our place, He was the perfect man; paying a debt He did not owe for a price we could not pay.
4. Jesus conquered satan, hell and the grave, and He now offers eternal life to all those who believe in Him; not because we are perfect, but only by His undeserved and unearned Grace.
5. Some Jewish converts attempted to force the Law of Moses (which they could never fully comply with) on non-Jews which never lived under the bondage of the Law in the first place.
6. Paul sternly questioned the Jewish converts who were pushing the Law of Moses on Gentiles, as to why they were burdening Gentile believers with a yoke that neither they nor their ancestors were able to bear.
7. Paul made it clear that we are all (Jews and non-Jews) saved the same way, by the undeserved Grace of the Lord Jesus!
Closing Confession: Father, thank You for Your amazing and underserved Grace. The Law of Moses made it clear to me that I needed a Savior. I have lied before. I have taken something that was not mine. I have done more things wrong than I want to acknowledge. Under the Law I deserved punishment. Under the Law I was guilty… without question. However, I am not under the Law. While I could never fulfill the Law, Jesus fulfilled it for me. While I could never be perfect, Jesus was perfect for me. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe for a price I could not pay. And for that I shall forever be grateful. Not only was I saved by Your undeserved Grace, but You also choose to use me by Grace. Without Grace I would be condemned. I am not worthy to be used of You. I am not worthy to share the Gospel. I am not worthy to lift up my hands before You in praise. I am not worthy to come before Your throne to ask You for anything. In and of myself I am not worthy. But Jesus made me worthy. There was no sin in Jesus and You made Him sin. There was no righteousness in me and You made me righteous. I am now the righteousness of God by faith. Not because I deserve it. Not because I have earned it. Not because I am so good. NO! Only because You are so good and You choose to extend Your Grace to me. So Father, I am a slave to righteousness. I will not wallow in guilt, shame or condemnation. I enter this day and every day that follows as a believer who is righteous by faith (and not works), and who is available to be used of You by Your Grace. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
