Good morning! Today is Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Today’s word is a challenge to our Christian community to unlearn something the world has accepted as normal. Before Christ, all of us were living in sin and shaped by the world (unless you are the product of an immaculate conception)... but now we get to realize, repent, and walk into the newness of life in the Kingdom! Read on …
Today's Reading:
Leviticus 7,8,9; Acts 15
Scripture
“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead, we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.” (Acts 15:19-20)
Observation
The Gospel was reaching the Gentiles! The Jews, who felt they were the only “chosen” ones, were angry that non-Jews could have the same relationship with God as they did. And if that were to be the case, the Jewish leaders wanted to put stringent stipulations on the Gentiles, but Peter begged to differ.
“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 15:10-11
After lengthy deliberations with the elders, only four things would be required of the Christian Gentiles: two for hygienic health, one to steer free from idolatrous practices, and one about sexual involvement outside marriage. They were to abstain from:
- Food offered to idols
- Sexual immorality
- Meat from strangled animals
- Blood
Application
Four main precepts. As Christians, I think we do pretty well on three, but we are failing on one: Sexual immorality.
This was a sin taken too lightly by the Greeks of that day, and the practice of changing beds or sleeping with a person who wasn’t your spouse became accepted and normalized. It isn’t much different today with couples who were taught incorrectly. They want God’s blessings, but they don’t do things God’s way. It is sin that withholds God’s best, so as we deal with sin, we can attain God’s best!
Author Alvin Toffler stated: “Those who will be the literate of the 21st Century will be those who can learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
Maybe it’s time for the Church to un-learn some habits we brought in from the world, repent, and relearn what God expects of us Gentiles who have come to Christ. Then, you watch … His best, and your inheritance, will be waiting!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for this great lesson! Help us to be changed from “glory to glory” into Your image. Please give us the courage and devotion to unlearn the wrong things we were taught, and now, dear Holy Spirit, guide us into all truth! We will follow YOU!
Sign up to receive Pastor Wayne's devotions daily
