James (who chaired the Board of Apostles in Jerusalem) said the following about Gentiles (that’s us) who follow Jesus:

“In his kindness, God came to the Gentiles in the first place, to raise up from them a people of God… and I conclude that we should not create problems for Gentiles who turn to God…” – Acts 15:14 and 19

Today I want to write a little about the amazing men’s group I am involved with over here in Tarboro; sometimes it just feels too good to be true.

What I am feeling is probably what psychologists identify as “Imposter Syndrome!” That means despite all the encouragement, the affirmation, the positive atmosphere and the growth, sometimes I still find myself thinking, Well, pretty soon they’re going to figure out who I really am and then they will stop showing up.

Especially after experiences like this week, when 29 men filled literally every chair in the conference room on a cold, rainy, dismal morning.

By now they are probably tired of me… Do I even know what I’m talking about… My stories are not that interesting… My theology is full of holes… They need a teacher with more knowledge….

This week’s lesson

Over the past year and a half we have been rolling through the entire Bible. First the Old Testament. Then the Gospels. Now the Book of Acts. Today was Acts Chapter 15 and The Council in Jerusalem.

Here’s how I set up the conversation: “This is one of the most important and consequential chapters in the New Testament! This is where the Gospel – the Good News message – is resolutely aimed (as God intended) at every person in the entire world.”

Our discussion ended up drilling down into verses 10-11, where – during the debate – Peter points out the following in response to demands that new believers first become Jews before they can be accepted as Christians.

“Why are you now challenging God by placing a burden on the shoulders of these disciples that neither we nor our ancestors could bear? On the contrary, we believe that we and they are saved in the same way, by the grace of the Lord Jesus.” – Acts 15:10-11

“We and they are saved in the same way – by grace.”

Peter #WordsToLiveBy

Their unique identity as a people was everything – “Set apart. Not like the other nations.” The Mosaic Law is what helped Israel survive. But now (at the Acts 15 Jerusalem meeting, circa CE 48) Peter is saying that, bottom line, what really matters is the grace of Jesus.

Prior to meeting Jesus these disciples were all carrying heavy loads, following obscure rules and jumping through hoops in order – unsuccessfully – to appease God. But Jesus empties their backpacks of a couple of hundred pounds of rocks and says, “My burden is easy. Receive my grace. Now you are reconciled to God.”

“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I am gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.” – Jesus: Matthew 11:28-30

Reverse Course:

Since then, too much of Christianity has been about putting rocks back into people’s packs: laying down the guilt, piling on the rules, doubling down on controls, excluding all kinds of people, limiting access.

So we talked about this pivotal moment and “What is essential?” The early church concludes that “The grace of Jesus is essential.” Also, that “Jesus is for everyone.” And that remains true because Jesus still has the authority to take all those rocks out of our packs. Jesus stands as God’s invitation home; this is an invitation we must understand, we must consider and we must accept.

The Good News would not have exploded onto the scene and would not still be transforming lives today if it were not as radically demanding as it is radically simple. This is why it is imperative that people meet Jesus and make the choice to follow, purposefully, in The Way.

There is a lot of conversation, of course, around what it means to be “a Follower of The Way.” And for that, I recommend we listen to Jesus.

For me, the bottom line is self-giving love. It is, after all, the definition of how Jesus welcomes us home – DEREK

For me, the bottom line is self-giving love. It is, after all, the definition of how Jesus welcomes us home.