All Things To All Men

SCRIPTURE:

Acts 21:21 (NKJV) “but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses ...”

Acts 21:25 (NKJV) “But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing…”

OBSERVATION:

Paul was teaching the Gentiles that they did not have to follow the law in order to be saved. That had been affirmed by the other leaders. He was NOT telling the Jews that they could not follow the law and be saved. The law couldn’t save them, but neither could it disqualify them from salvation. His words were twisted and misunderstood.

APPLICATION:

Isn’t it amazing the law posed two different challenges to different cultures? The Gentiles didn’t need to keep the law but the Jews could. Obviously the law wasn’t an avenue for salvation for either group, but it was culturally significant. Christianity is transcultural.

PRAYER:

Jesus, give me sensitivity for the differences of others. Amen.