Reading for March 21-25
Acts 21:23-40
Monday
“James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, told Paul . . . 'Here’s what we want you to do. . . . . Go to the Temple and join in the purification ceremony and pay . . to have your heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know . . . you yourself observe the Jewish laws.' So Paul did it . . ." Acts 21:23-26
A Truly Emancipated Believer is not in Bondage to His Emancipation
Pastor’s Reflection
One of my favorite scriptures of all time is this one.
"19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings."
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT)
In the NIV it reads “I will be all things to all people so that by all possible means I can save some.”
This is not compromise. It is putting first things first. In today’s passage Paul, the man who taught that faith alone was enough for salvation, submitted to an unnecessary ritual so as to not be a stumbling block to others. Elsewhere he wrote that if it offended someone that he ate or drank something that legalists didn’t like, then he wouldn’t eat or drink those things.
Paul was so set free by the Gospel that he was not bound by any need to “prove his liberation” from the imposition of what others thought he should do”. To abstain from somethings for the sake of others? Why not?
Years ago a worshiper suggested I not wear light colored shoes when I preached. I was young and brash and immediately felt defensive. Thank God for the Bible. Recalling Paul, I didn’t let my defensiveness show and instead said thank you. I have never worn those shoes since. What’s the big deal? The big deal is not to be a stumbling block over non essentials. The shoes were out of style anyway.
I think Paul chose, at this time, to focus on sharing the Good News by not letting others become sidetracked by something the Holy Spirit was going to change anyway at a later date.
ReplyDelete"I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds"
Heb 10:16
With the shoe thing, its not as if dark colored shoes had been commanded by God for hundreds of years and is now being challenged by a lighter color. There could always be someone else who felt darker colored shoes served the purpose better.
Spiritual Growth often involves challenge. (Hebrews 5 for example)
For me, I have trouble with "non essentials" for I have trouble understanding which part of what the Bible teaches can be deemed as a non essential.
Right now a well known leader in the Christian Community is now reverting back to support of head coverings in the church. Not to digress, but there is a difference between 'sharing weaknesses of others" and becoming other's weaknesses...
Isn't it pretty much all a heart issue?
Thank you Lynda, that was well stated. The concept of accommodation here is not without limits. I have seen legalists destroy many believers especially young Christians and I certainly would not align myself with their harmful attitudes just to appease them. I don't think Paul meant that. Sometimes we must lovingly disagree. Peter was faced with the dilemma of pleasing the Jews by disassociating with his Gentile brothers and sisters - clearly a case where he couldn't pretend to be on both sides of the fence.
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