Scripture: Acts 15:19We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
Observation:
The church faced a huge crisis in its infancy. On the one hand, you had all these Jewish people that put their faith in Christ and were saved. They came into this faith with all their Jewish traditions, heritage and background. On the other hand, God poured out his Spirit on the Gentiles and they too came into the faith. But like the Jews, they had their spiritual pagan heritage, traditions, etc. The Jews tried to enforce the tradition of circumcision on the Gentile who did not practice this. Instead of making Christianity full of rules and traditions - the apostles and elders realized that it was by grace we are saved and not the outward works of our lives.
Application:
The church continues to fight this battle even today. Sometimes we make it so hard for those that are far from God to come to faith. We have so many traditions and spiritual baggage that we try to heap on the shoulders of those who simply are looking for God's grace. It's not about the way you look, dress, talk ... whether you have piercings or tattoos or even if you drink or listen to secular music or even use the occasional superlative that is not typical of traditional Christian nomenclature. It's a matter of your heart.
Prayer:
God, today is Sunday. You know I've invited my barber to come to Church today. You know his heart and that he's far from you. Help me and PCC today to provide a welcoming environment for him and his family today. Let us make it easy for him to come back to you. Help us not put all kinds of rules and regulations on his heart today. Let him find your grace. Amen.
