Unity Among God's People

(Today's reading - Job 38,39; Acts 15:1-21)

Imagine for a moment what it was like for the Jew when God decided it was time to bring the Gentile into the family, into a covenant relationship with Himself. From Abraham forward, the Jew was God's "chosen". What does that even mean? They had been chosen from among all people to make the one God known the world, to share His word, His "will" with the rest of the world. They were given the Law and that was to make them a different people, a people that would demonstrate God's goodness and His will for mankind. That made them a special people, not because they were special, but because God chose them and that made them special. (Deuteronomy 7:7)

Many people misunderstand the concept of "chosen", as if the "unchosen" were in some way inferior or even unloved. The chosen had a specific responsibility to the those that had not been chosen. A proper understanding of this is needed to understand and appreciate the responsibilities that God's people have to the rest of the world today. It was never that the Jew was going to heaven and the rest of the world was condemned. Rather, the Jew was to take the message of God to everyone else. Their disobedience in no way removed their responsibility. (this must be understood) It is also important to remember that the Jew, the Israelite was a branch of the family; it is not as if we are talking about some particular race of people.

As we begin to read Acts 15, we see that Jews (Christian Jews) were teaching the gentile Christians that they must abide by the Law of Moses. (and be circumcised) I can imagine that this was causing quite a stir among these new followers of God. I am sure the Jew was thinking that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. They had lived under the Law (not an easy task) and had been subject to all its' rules and regulations, why not these new followers of God?

I appreciate the way this is settled. Pay close attention and see how disputes should be handled among God's people. They didn't vote. They didn't find out what was popular. They didn't turn to culture or society. They didn't consider what might offend people. They didn't ask the most powerful in the church. They didn't ask the smartest people in the congregation. Instead, they turned to the Apostles, those whom God had entrusted with His Word. The final Word came down from the proper authority and the dispute was settled.

Wouldn't that be amazing! Instead of allowing our wants, our desires to determine what we practice and believe, we turn to the Apostles for direction from God. Had they not done that, I can imagine that we would have seen two churches in town... the First Church of the Circumcised and the Assembly of the Uncircumcised. They would have been running around trying to convince people why they were right and "that other church" is wrong. Instead, we are given the solution to doctrinal differences... God's Word. An honest reading of His Word will settle the issue and keep people united. And where a disagreement remains after an honest look, I believe God calls on His people to extend love to their brother and sister. Maybe time and more study will change the heart and mind. Maybe the dispute is over something that really doesn't matter anyway. (can I get an O Yeah)

Whatever the issue is, I am sure of this one thing... God expects His people to work it out and stay united. Jesus prayer before His ascension was for our unity. He knew we would struggle with wanting our own way, so He took it to the Father in prayer... maybe we should do the same. Not everything is all important. Not everything carries the same weight. (read 1 Corinthians 15:3) Let's follow the example of the early church and seek God's will on matters that pull us apart. Spend time in prayer for the brother that you disagree with! Let love do its' work. As His people, we are His chosen... the world is watching, how are we going to settle our disputes?