Strength and Encouragement

Read Leviticus 9:23-24; Acts 15

 

“There is a strange proneness in us to think that all do wrong who do not just as we do.” ~ Matthew Henry

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application - Prayer

 

S:  Acts 15: 41 And he (Paul) passed through Syria and Cilicia, establishing and strengthening the churches.

 

O:  Acts 15 is mainly about the Jerusalem Council in 50 A.D. and the issues that the early Gentile churches were having regarding circumcision and other matters of the Jewish law.  So Paul and some of the other early church leaders and the twelve apostles met in Jerusalem to drash or discuss these things together.  After the council met they decided not to burden the new converts with the idea of circumcision, but there were certain laws (not eating meat with blood in it, etc.) that they still asked the Gentile converts to uphold.  But mostly they wanted the churches strengthened and encouraged in their new walk as they followed Jesus.

 

The quote, “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way …” comes to mind when I read Acts 15.  Those who were ministering to the Gentile converts did not want to put them off, confuse them or require too much of them.  Paul and Barnabas knew, I think, that as they grew and matured that they would be willing to change more later.  I’m not suggesting they would go and do circumcision later, but what I am saying that as new babes in Christ people do not always change everything all at once.  Just like we do not require a baby to get up and walk out of the hospital and go and eat a steak.  That would be ridiculous!  Babies grow, and new converts need time to grow and learn to walk also.

 

For that matter, which one of us hasn’t learned (or is still learning) how to walk fully with the LORD?

 

Even Paul and Barnabas were still learning!  As we read later, they had a sharp dispute with one another.  If you have ever been in a church where there have been sharp disputes then you can probably understand what Matthew Henry writes about this dispute:  “… we are not to think it strange, if there are differences among wise and good men. It will be so while we are in this imperfect state; we shall never be all of one mind till we come to heaven. But what mischief the remainders of pride and passion which are found even in good men, do in the world, and do in the church! Many who dwelt at Antioch, who had heard but little of the devotedness and piety of Paul and Barnabas, heard of their dispute and separation; and thus it will be with ourselves, if we give way to contention. Believers must be constant in prayer, that they may never be led by the allowance of unholy tempers, to hurt the cause they really desire to serve. Paul speaks with esteem and affection both of Barnabas and Mark, in his epistles, written after this event. May all who profess thy name, O loving Savior, be thoroughly reconciled by that love derived from thee which is not easily provoked, and which soon forgets and buries injuries.”

 

A:  Be gentle with new converts!  Remember, “We [too] have great cause to bless God that we have heard the gospel.” (Matthew Henry)  Encourage and strengthen each other in our walks with the LORD.  Do not require “too much”, but only as the LORD convicts and changes us.

 

P:  LORD, purify our hearts with faith.  Thank you that you chose to bless us with the good news of Your gospel message.  May we listen to Your gentle leading and guiding as we choose to follow after You.  May we be gentle with those who are new to walking with You, especially the children that we are raising and teaching Your ways.  Let us not require more of people than You do and therefore put burdens on them that You never intended.  Help us to strengthen and encourage one another at all times and to cause them to want to pursue You.  Help us as we strive to serve You to be careful not to give way to contention, but to strive for unity at all costs.  In Jesus’ Mighty name, Yeshua the Messiah, I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

Note of encouragement:  Leviticus 9:23 says, “Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting …”  Every time when we come to this or any other personal study and prayer time with the LORD it is like we are going into our personal “tent of meeting” with the LORD.  I pray that God blesses your times of meeting with Him each day and that it would be an offering to Him and a time of worship and celebration.