God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate 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 Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors 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. (Acts 15:8-11)
Faith in Jesus Christ makes a substantial difference to life.
Hearing the good news of who Jesus is for those believed both Jew and Gentile would have been a breath of fresh air. It filled their lungs with forgiveness and faith enabling them to breath out the praises of God for the world to see and hear. It was a new song, it was a new day.
So for folks to come in and begin to outline certain customs and traditions according to the law of Moses to the good news definitely felt to some that it was polluting the air.
The council at Jerusalem is a remarkable insight into conflict resolution. The different perspectives are heard and there is room to ponder the positions. When James makes his recommendation it is one that the council as a whole carry. That is why the letter is not coming from a president, a senior pastor or a conference secretary. This is a decision that the council consent to as a whole.
The decision does wonders to help Gentile believers be able to breathe easily again. It’s not a decision that says anything goes. It’s not a decision that permits easy-believism. It’s a decision that recognises as Peter recognised with Cornelius and his crew what makes the difference is accepting the good news and placing faith in Jesus Christ.
It’s sometimes difficult to truly appreciate the consequences of the decision in Jerusalem. It’s also hard to appreciate what we can learn from the process that lead to the decision. There are still issues that are contentious among believers, but rather than divide over them, we can show an example of humbly yielding to the Holy Spirit to come to a consensual decision.
Breathing the fresh air of faith in Jesus Christ should not stifle anyone, it should not choke anyone and leave them struggling to stay alive with the toxins of legalism.
Thank God for the Spirit that helps us breath more easily.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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