Hearts Cleansed by Grace
Acts 15:1-11 (WEB) 1 Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.” 2 Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. 3 They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done with them.
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. 7 When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
I have heard all of my life that the gospel is simple. Yet, there are those still today who do not read the Bible because it is too complex, and others who insist that we add to the gospel message all sorts of rules to prove our devotion to Jesus. But these are not 21st century problems. Indeed, today’s scripture shows that the apostle Peter clarified the matter by reminding the early church fathers who objected that we are saved not by the law but by faith. So why is this still an issue?
Perhaps we have forgotten the most important thing: For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We are each a part of “whosoever,” which means the blood Jesus shed almost two thousand years ago still covers us today. We cannot earn it, we cannot pay for it, we do not deserve it, yet God’s plan still gives salvation to “whosoever will.”
May we continue to share Jesus in His fullness, telling the old, old story that never changes, and why should it?
In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tell Me the Story of Jesus
By Fanny Crosby
Lyrics
1. Tell me the story of Jesus,
write on my heart ev’ry word;
tell me the story most precious,
sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus
sang as they welcomed His birth,
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”
Refrain:
Tell me the story of Jesus,
write on my heart ev’ry word;
tell me the story most precious,
sweetest that ever was heard.
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Seeking Holiness 