Set them free
Our mission is to make disciples of all nations, that means setting them free from sin and it’s consequences by sharing the Gospel and our testimony of what Jesus Christ has done for us. When anything, especially false teaching, threatens that mission we should be quick to deal with it, not getting distracted from our mission and not allowing it to rob us or others of our joy. We should draw together under the authority of the Church, be lead by the Scripture and the Holy Spirit and trust that God has already seen the problem coming and has a solution.
Scripture
Acts 15:1-11 ESV But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” [2] And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. [3] So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. [4] When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. [5] But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” [6] The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. [7] And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. [8] And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, [9] and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. [10] Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? [11] But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
Through the Scripture
Problems do come
The Apostles at Antioch have had an amazing and fruitful ministry overcoming varied attacks in their mission to make disciples of all nations. Now the attacks come in a more subtle form and come from within the Church. Men came from Jerusalem, from the Church where Paul and Barnabus were sent out. They didn’t refute the Gospel, but they added to it, subtly but effectively contradicting it. We are warned of such false teachers and their teaching, and it still happens today. It’s very dangerous and destructive and must be dealt with because it can keep us from the freedom of forgiveness and eternal life.
Acts 15:1-11 ESV But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 Peter 2:1 ESV But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
Galatians 1:8-9 ESV But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. [9] As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Address and Assess the problem
Paul and Barnabus immediately and lovingly engage with the false teachers, but they don’t just leave it there. They seek to confront it at the source and draw from the authority that God has appointed over His Church. They can do both of these things by going to the Church in Jerusalem. When we hear false teaching or suspect it in our Church we must do the same three things, engage with those who are teaching them, find the source and engage with them and call on the appointed authority of the Church.
Acts 15:2 ESV And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 ESV I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: [2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. [3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
Matthew 18:15-17 ESV “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. [16] But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Concentrate and Capitalise on the mission
Remember that Paul and Barnabus have just returned from a wonderful mission. There is so much joy in celebrating how God is saving masses of gentiles. They do not let this adversity steal this joy but make the most of the opportunity to continue to declare God’s Glory and His wonderful works. They do not get distracted from the work they have been sent to do, but do it all the more despite the possibility of this problem causing a distraction.
Acts 15:3-4 ESV So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. [4] When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
Matthew 24:45-47 ESV “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? [46] Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. [47] Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
Philippians 4:4-7 ESV Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Trust all of Scripture
When Jesus disciples were confused and battling to understand how the Messiah could have died when they expected Him to be immortal, He corrected them through “all the Scriptures”. We must always do the same. Taking some of Scripture out of context leads to false teaching. Look how Paul proves that circumcision isn’t necessary for salvation.
Acts 15:5-6 ESV But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” [6] The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
Luke 24:27 ESV And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Romans 4:7-12 ESV “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; [8] blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” [9] Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. [10] How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. [11] He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, [12] and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Trust that God has foreseen the problem and has the solution
So often when we encounter problems we panic and even despair. The first thing to remember is that God is never taken by surprise. He has always seen it coming and always has the solution before we even know about the problem. Peter is perfect positioned to end the debate because of what God has done through him already. Jesus appointed Peter to build His Church and guided Peter past the old ways and open the Church to the gentiles through him. We must always trust that the Lord Jesus is in control of His Church, we fight in His strength and from His victory, trusting in Him all the way.
Acts 15:7 ESV And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
Acts 10:13-15 ESV And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” [14] But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” [15] And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”
Matthew 16:17-19 ESV And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. [18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Saved by faith and Showing evidence
The Christian faith is different to any and every other. We are made right with God by faith alone in Christ alone and by His grace alone. When we have believed, by His grace we are made right with God, receive His Holy Spirit and begin to demonstrate the fruit of His work in us. It is not the other way round. We do not “become good” by doing the right things, and them believe in and follow Jesus.
Acts 15:8-9 ESV And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, [9] and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
2 Peter 1:3-5 ESV His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. [5] For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
Set them free
Jesus came to set us free by faith in Him. He showed this by what He did and what He taught. We should never oppose God by trying to impose our customs on others thinking that for people to be saved, they must be like us. We are not saved because we look like good people, we are saved because we believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus corrected thos who thought that a sinful women who washed His feet couldn’t be saved. He corrected them emphatically.
Acts 15:10-11 ESV Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? [11] But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
Luke 7:47-50 ESV Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” [48] And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” [50] And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Daily Devotions
Monday: Recognising the Seriousness of False Teaching
Today's Verse Acts 15:1 ESV - But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Reflection: This verse immediately highlights a profound problem faced by the early church: the insidious nature of false teaching. Men arrived from Jerusalem, the very origin of Paul and Barnabas's sending, and subtly began to add a condition to salvation – circumcision. This was not an outright denial of the Gospel, but an insidious addition which, in effect, contradicted its essence. Such teachings are immensely dangerous and destructive because they can rob people of the freedom that comes through forgiveness and eternal life, which are found in Jesus Christ alone. We are warned that these teachers might present themselves with credible appearances, making their message seem almost right, but any teaching that infringes upon the pure truth of salvation is gravely serious. This initial challenge underscores the "A" in the ACTS acronym, urging us to Address the problem by first recognising its destructive potential.
Additional Scripture:
2 Peter 2:1 ESV - But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master Who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
Galatians 1:8-9 ESV - But even if We or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one We preached to you, let him be accursed. As We have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Life Application: Cultivate vigilance and discernment regarding what is being taught, whether it reaches you through digital platforms, personal interactions, or even within church communities. Understand that false teaching can be subtle, often appearing to be almost correct. Do not ignore potential spiritual threats; instead, learn to identify anything that attempts to impose conditions on God's free gift of salvation, which is solely through His Son, Jesus. Our ultimate mission is to make disciples and glorify God, and anything that distracts or delays this sacred purpose is a spiritual problem demanding a spiritual solution.
Prayer points:
Pray for discernment to recognise false teaching, especially subtle heresies.
Ask God to help you remain focused on the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, salvation by faith alone.
Pray for strength to not ignore problems, but to face them with wisdom from Him.
Ask Him to guard your heart and mind against destructive heresies that seek to undermine the freedom found in Him.
Tuesday: Addressing and Assessing Problems Effectively
Today's Verse Acts 15:2 ESV - And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
Reflection: When confronted with the false teaching, Paul and Barnabas did not choose to ignore the issue. Instead, they immediately engaged with the false teachers, entering into "no small dissension and debate". This proactive response exemplifies the "A" in the ACTS acronym: to Address and Assess the problem. They did not simply dismiss the teachers; they listened, debated, and sought to understand the nature of what was being propagated. Crucially, they also determined to confront the problem at its origin and wisely sought the authority that God had appointed within His Church, by deciding to travel to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders. This approach provides a model for how we should handle problems: engage with those involved, identify the source of the issue, and involve the appropriate leadership or authority within the church. Their journey to Jerusalem also served to address the very authority from which these false teachers had originated.
Additional Scripture:
Matthew 18:15-17 ESV - “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between him and you alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 ESV - I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
Life Application: When confronted with challenges, particularly those concerning truth or spiritual matters, avoid the temptation to ignore or avoid them. Instead, lovingly engage with those involved, seeking to understand the situation before making assumptions. Be prepared to discuss and debate respectfully, and if necessary, seek the wisdom and authority of established spiritual leadership within the church. This principle applies not only to false teaching but to any significant problem in our lives, encouraging us to act decisively and responsibly rather than hoping issues will simply disappear.
Prayer points:
Ask God for the courage to confront problems directly and lovingly.
Pray for wisdom to assess the true nature of issues before reacting.
Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit on when and how to involve church leadership or trusted authorities.
Pray that you would always seek reconciliation and truth in dealing with difficulties, as Paul and Barnabas did.
Wednesday: Concentrating on the Mission Amidst Problems
Today's Verse Acts 15:3-4 ESV - So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
Reflection: Even amidst the significant challenge of false teaching, Paul and Barnabas resolutely refused to allow their joy to be diminished or their primary mission to be diverted. As they journeyed to Jerusalem, they proactively seized the opportunity to share the wonderful works of God, recounting in detail the conversion of the Gentiles. This testimony brought immense joy to the believers in Phoenicia and Samaria. This demonstrates the "C" in the ACTS acronym: to Concentrate on the mission. Their unwavering focus remained on glorifying God and making disciples, perceiving this adversity not as a setback, but as an opportunity to further proclaim God's incredible work. Jesus' mission for us is to make disciples of all nations, and problems, regardless of their nature, should not distract us from this fundamental calling.
Additional Scripture:
Matthew 24:45-47 ESV - “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom His Master will set over His household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom His Master will find so doing when He comes. Truly, I say to you, He will set him over all His possessions.
Philippians 4:4-7 ESV - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Life Application: When difficulties arise, it is a common tendency to become absorbed by them, allowing them to diminish our joy and divert us from our true purpose. Instead, remember the overarching mission God has entrusted to you: to glorify Him and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Actively seek opportunities, even within the challenges you face, to continue demonstrating God's goodness and contributing to the building up of His church. Do not permit personal upset or conflict to prevent you from extending Christ's love to others.
Prayer points:
Pray for the ability to rejoice in the Lord always, even in the midst of adversity.
Ask God to help you remain focused on your mission to glorify Him and make disciples, no matter the challenges.
Pray for open eyes to see and seize opportunities to share God's work with others, even when dealing with problems.
Ask Him to guard your heart from anxiety, granting you His peace that surpasses all understanding.
Thursday: Trusting All of Scripture for Sound Doctrine
Today's Verse Acts 15:5-6 ESV - But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
Reflection: Here, the core of the false teaching is plainly articulated by believers from the party of the Pharisees: they asserted that circumcision and adherence to the Law of Moses were essential for salvation. This highlights a profoundly crucial principle, the first "T" in the ACTS acronym: Trust all of Scripture. False teachings frequently emerge when a specific part of Scripture is taken out of context or applied erroneously, thereby distorting the broader truth. The Pharisees understood segments of the Old Testament, but they failed to grasp how Jesus fulfilled the Law and how God's plan extended salvation to the Gentiles by faith, rather than through adherence to Jewish customs. Jesus Himself corrected His disciples through "all the Scriptures" when they were confused about His death, underscoring the vital importance of understanding the full counsel of God's Word.
Additional Scripture:
Luke 24:27 ESV - And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Romans 4:7-12 ESV - “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Life Application: Commit yourself to reading and understanding the entirety of the Bible. Resist the temptation to cherry-pick verses out of context, as this practice can lead to misunderstanding and erroneous beliefs. Recognise that all of Scripture points to Jesus Christ and His redemptive mission. A comprehensive knowledge of God's Word provides the essential context to discern truth from subtle error, keeping your faith grounded and balanced.
Prayer points:
Pray for a deeper desire to read and understand the whole of God's Word.
Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Scriptures, revealing Jesus on every page.
Pray for protection against taking verses out of context or allowing partial truths to become destructive heresies.
Seek wisdom to apply biblical principles correctly in all areas of your life, relying on the full counsel of God.
Friday: Trusting God's Foresight in Every Problem
Today's Verse Acts 15:7 ESV - And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
Reflection: Peter's crucial testimony here powerfully illustrates the second "T" in the ACTS acronym: Trust that God has foreseen the problem and has the solution. The debate was intense, yet Peter was perfectly positioned to resolve it because God had already prepared him and worked through him to open the church to the Gentiles. Peter's past experience, particularly the vision of the food and his subsequent ministry to Cornelius's household (Acts 10), served as an undeniable testament to God's will for Gentile inclusion without the requirement of circumcision. God is never taken by surprise by problems; He knows them before they even arise and has already orchestrated the perfect solution. We can find profound peace in the knowledge that Jesus is in complete control of His Church, and we contend not in our own strength, but from His victory.
Additional Scripture:
Acts 10:13-15 ESV - And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”
Matthew 16:17-19 ESV - And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Life Application: When faced with unexpected challenges, resist the urge to panic or fall into despair. Instead, remember that God is sovereign and has already foreseen every difficulty you might encounter. He has already prepared a solution, often long before you even become aware of the problem. Trust in His perfect timing and His continuous work in your life. This trust brings an incredible peace, knowing that you are not fighting in your own strength, but from His guaranteed victory.
Prayer points:
Thank God that He is never surprised by your circumstances or problems.
Pray for increased trust in His divine foresight and His pre-planned solutions.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant you peace amidst challenges, knowing that He is in control.
Pray for the strength to rely on His victory and not your own abilities when facing difficulties.
Saturday: Saved by Faith and Living it Out
Today's Verse Acts 15:8-9 ESV - And God, Who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, and He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
Reflection: Peter's powerful argument highlights the very heart of the Gospel: salvation is by faith alone. God, Who possesses perfect knowledge of every heart, bore witness to the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit purely through their faith, exactly as He had done for the Jewish believers. This foundational truth demonstrates the "S" in the ACTS acronym: Saved by Faith. No distinction was made based on circumcision or adherence to the Law; their hearts were supernaturally cleansed by faith in Jesus. This radical truth means that we are made right with God by His grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Once saved, believers receive the Holy Spirit and naturally begin to show evidence, or fruit, of His transformative work within them. However, these actions are a joyful result of salvation, not a prerequisite for it.
Additional Scripture:
2 Peter 1:3-5 ESV - His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
Life Application: Fully embrace the liberating truth that you are saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ, not by your works or adherence to any human custom. Understand that every good thing in your spiritual life, including salvation, forgiveness, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, is a gracious gift from God, not something you could ever earn. While salvation is entirely by grace through faith, a genuine faith will inevitably lead to a desire to live a life that beautifully demonstrates His transforming work within you, prompting you to supplement your faith with virtue and knowledge.
Prayer points:
Thank God for the incredible gift of salvation by faith through His grace alone.
Pray for a heart that fully grasps the truth that you cannot earn His favour or salvation.
Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live a life that genuinely shows evidence of His work within you.
Pray for freedom from the burden of trying to be "good enough" for God, resting instead in Jesus' finished work.
Sunday: Setting Others Free in Christ
Today's Verse Acts 15:10-11 ESV - Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
Reflection: Peter passionately challenges the false teachers, directly asking why they would impose a burdensome "yoke" upon new disciples – customs and laws that neither their ancestors nor they themselves had been able to fully bear. This profound statement encapsulates the final "S" in the ACTS acronym: Set them free. Jesus Christ Himself came precisely to set us free by faith in Him. It is fundamentally contrary to God's heart to impose human customs or traditions as requirements for salvation, making people feel they must "be like us" or "look good" to be saved. Salvation is solely about believing in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Jesus Himself emphatically corrected those who judged others based on outward appearances or a sinful past, affirming that genuine faith leads directly to forgiveness and peace. Our ultimate mission is to share the Gospel that liberates, not enslaves.
Additional Scripture:
Luke 7:47-50 ESV - Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And He said to her, “your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, Who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
John 3:16 ESV - “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Life Application: Reflect on how you might, even unintentionally, be imposing your own customs, traditions, or unbiblical expectations on others as conditions for their faith or acceptance within the community. Remember that the Gospel's core purpose is to bring freedom in Christ. Be mindful not to judge others based on external behaviours or cultural differences, but rather celebrate their genuine faith in Jesus. your overarching goal should always be to point people to the transformative grace of Jesus Christ, liberating them from the crushing burden of trying to earn salvation.
Prayer points:
Ask God to reveal any ways you might be inadvertently placing burdens or unbiblical expectations on others.
Pray for a heart that desires to see all people experience the true freedom found only in Jesus Christ.
Seek God's help to share the Gospel with absolute clarity, emphasising salvation by grace through faith alone.
Pray for a spirit of non-judgment, remembering that Jesus forgives sins and saves by faith alone.