RE Verse reading–Acts 15:1-29 (day two)Election day. Tonight, some will be winners. Some will be losers. Where will we find humility? Hope? In Acts 15, both the winners and losers walked away “unanimously” or with “one mind” (15:25). How? They were convinced by sound reason (15:7-11), testimony (15:12) and Scripture (15:13-21) that there were two priorities worth uniting for. Number 1 – the gospel. “We are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (15:11). Peter reminds them that the gospel has always been about what Jesus did, not what we do. Number 2 – relationships. James’ request would allowing Jews and Gentiles to eat supper together. There were definitely winners and losers in this conflict, but everyone agreed that these two priorities united them. Tonight, whether you find yourself a winner or a loser will you remember the two priorities, the gospel and relationships? Jesus put it this way, “love God and love others” (Mark 12:30-31).
Guest Blogger: Josh Vaughan – Minister to Young Marrieds & Yes, Lord! Community Ministries
Nice post.
I personally do not think coming under the direction of the Spirit is ever “losing” but that is just the way I see it. As you so eloquently pointed out, people will see things differently….. we are instructed to focus on the things that unify instead.
The Lord has been speaking to me the past week about the verse in 2 Tim 2 “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” For me this has been so helpful. To me “entangled” is not the same as being aware/participating, but instead taking my eyes off Him and looking at this world or taking my ears off Him and listening to this world. As Pastor Guthrie has been saying, no matter what….our mission remains the same.