R.E.A.P. your daily devotions with Linda Bailey

We get so caught up in what people can and can’t do that we confuse what is Christlike and what is just our preferred lifestyle.

Acts 15.22-41

Reference: v. 28  It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements… (NIV Bible)

Explore:  I love to play cards (I’d like to think it’s the one dorky element to my life, but I’m sure there are many more!).  The greatest challenge in playing cards is explaining the rules to a new player.  The idea in explaining the rules is for the new player to grasp enough of the game to begin to play.  You need to explain the aim of the game and then keep the rules as simple as possible.  It’s not the time to delve into the latest strategy of how to win against the world champions, but just enough to start to get involved.
As Paul went to speak to the Gentiles who were new to a faith in Christ they had just a few simple requirements.  He didn’t delve straight into the latest of the Trinitarian theology, he kept it simple so they could start living a Christlike life.

Application:  When it comes to our faith, we can get so precious as to what is right and what is wrong in how we live a Christian life.  We get so caught up in what people can and can’t do that we confuse what is Christlike and what is just our preferred lifestyle.  We mix the basic rules with what we see as our preferred strategy.  People can be so put-off by all the rules and regulations they perceive in our faith when really God just guides us to love Him and love others.  It’s as simple and as complicated as that!

Prayer:  Lord, we can confuse things so much that we end up creating our own separate club that only we know the rules of.  And yet when we do that we go against your most important commandments to Love You and Love others.  Help us to be inclusive in our faith and share Your love with everyone.  Amen.