September 13, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

“My judgment is that we should not trouble Gentiles who turn to God, but write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, from fornication, from things strangled, and from blood.” (Acts 15:19-20)

During the Jerusalem Council, James, the bishop, and his advisers were were still not open-minded about matters outside of their Jewish understanding. They were intransigent over things pertaining to the Law, which is seen in their response to the question of receiving Gentiles into the church. They insisted on abstinence from food sacrificed to idols, meat of strangled animals, and blood. Paul had a better perspective. The epistles he wrote would later show this. Yet he submitted to the decision of those in authority. We can just imagine him struggling with it, but at the same time having confidence that the eyes of those who genuinely seek the Lord will eventually be opened. In time, the legalistic requirements of the Jerusalem resolution became yesterday's news without him having to debate against it. If this is the prevailing attitude in the Church, soon there will be unprecedented peace on earth.