June 23
Acts 15:1-35
All we need for salvation is Jesus. Yet so often we think this is too simple. We think that faith in Jesus seems too easy and there must be something more. Do you ever feel that as well? Many people think one needs faith in Jesus plus baptism, a high level of morality, tithing, or any number of other things to be saved. There were many in the early church, like those in Acts 15:1, who believed salvation required faith in Jesus plus conversion to Judaism. Therefore, many false teachers were saying you had to be circumcised, eat kosher, and any number of other practices from the Mosaic Law to be saved. All these ideas were completely false as already proven by the Holy Spirit coming upon Gentiles who had faith in Christ, plus nothing. The crucial truth that Jesus+nothing=everything needs to be defended in every generation.
After, and only after coming to faith in Christ, people should be called to holy lives, which is the instruction that the church gave to Gentiles concerning food sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, and certain dietary practices. Our lives should reflect the character of Christ as the Holy Spirit empowers us to live. However, we must always remember that salvation is through faith in Jesus plus nothing.
Father God, thank you that I am saved by grace through faith alone. Help me to live in a way that reflects the extravagant grace I have received. Amen.
Are you tempted to add to the simple gospel message? Why are you, or why has the church, often been tempted to add to this equation?
All we need for salvation is Jesus. Yet so often we think this is too simple. We think that faith in Jesus seems too easy and there must be something more. Do you ever feel that as well? Many people think one needs faith in Jesus plus baptism, a high level of morality, tithing, or any number of other things to be saved. There were many in the early church, like those in Acts 15:1, who believed salvation required faith in Jesus plus conversion to Judaism. Therefore, many false teachers were saying you had to be circumcised, eat kosher, and any number of other practices from the Mosaic Law to be saved. All these ideas were completely false as already proven by the Holy Spirit coming upon Gentiles who had faith in Christ, plus nothing. The crucial truth that Jesus+nothing=everything needs to be defended in every generation.
After, and only after coming to faith in Christ, people should be called to holy lives, which is the instruction that the church gave to Gentiles concerning food sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, and certain dietary practices. Our lives should reflect the character of Christ as the Holy Spirit empowers us to live. However, we must always remember that salvation is through faith in Jesus plus nothing.
Father God, thank you that I am saved by grace through faith alone. Help me to live in a way that reflects the extravagant grace I have received. Amen.
Are you tempted to add to the simple gospel message? Why are you, or why has the church, often been tempted to add to this equation?
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