Acts 15:1-5
15: 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.”
Reflection
Along with the rising persecution from outside the church, there are some within the church who begin speaking against Gentile (non-Jewish) believers who do not adopt Jewish customs (Acts 15:1). Church leaders hold a meeting in Jerusalem (v. 2) to decide whether non-Jewish believers must submit to all the requirements of the law of Moses, especially circumcision, in order to be saved.
As we will see, no one can be saved on the basis of his or her own obedience. If we attempt to ease our conscience through acting right, we will find ourselves bound to the taskmasters of guilt and fear: Have I done enough? Is God pleased with me now? True freedom from guilt comes only when we recognize the boundless and undeserved love that God has poured out on us through his Son. Jesus has done enough for God to be pleased with us.
Revelation 3:1-6
3: “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
0 “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Reflection
The church in Sardis has a false reputation of being alive, when in fact they are dead. On the outside things may look good, but the One who sees all things knows their true works (Rev. 3:1). They need God to help them wake up, grow strong, remember, keep what they received, and turn back to him (vv. 2–3).
Christ’s warning to the church in Sardis is stern, but his mercy is available to all who are willing to humbly turn from sin and put their hope in him. Jesus promises the one who overcomes that he will never blot his name out of the book of life (v. 5).
Psalm 105:43-45
43 So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. 44 And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil, 45 that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the Lord!
Because of the importance of obedience, we can confuse the role it plays in the Christian life. Ask God for insight and regular reminders that Christ’s obedience is the basis of our salvation, while our obedience is the proof of salvation.