The Truth Shall Make You Free...

And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.—Acts 15:1-2

The key doctrinal question of what someone must do to be saved became critical at this point in church history.  I love the example of James here.  He goes to the Scriptures and checks out the experiences of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas with the word of God.  His words confirm that what is currently happening with the Gentiles in the early church agrees with what the prophets have predicted would occur. Here are the words of James, Jesus’ brother.  

13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 'After this I will return

And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;

I will rebuild its ruins,

And I will set it up;

17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD,

Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,

Says the LORD who does all these things.'

18 "Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 

I am thankful that the first Jerusalem Council defied those who would have placed a yoke of bondage on our necks by adding man’s requirements to God’s word.  I am thankful that these men listened to God and not to man, forever affirming that salvation is by faith alone through grace alone.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."—John 8:32

I will praise You, Father, with my whole heart, for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.—Psalm 138:2b

Oh LORD, I Cry Out to You...

1 LORD, I cry out to You;

Make haste to me!

Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You.

2 Let my prayer be set before You as incense,

The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;

Keep watch over the door of my lips.

4 Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,

To practice wicked works

With men who work iniquity;

And do not let me eat of their delicacies.

5 Let the righteous strike me;

It shall be a kindness.

And let him rebuke me;

It shall be as excellent oil;

Let my head not refuse it.

For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.

6 Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff,

And they hear my words, for they are sweet.

7 Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave,

As when one plows and breaks up the earth.

8 But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord;

In You I take refuge;

Do not leave my soul destitute.

9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me,

And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.

10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

While I escape safely.—Psalm 141:1-10

Oh Lord, make haste to help me. Fill me with You...I want to walk trusting in Your grace, Your wisdom, Your power, and Your strength.  I want to speak Your words and Your truth over those You have placed in my life. My words are ugly and self-seeking. Yours are pure...like silver tried in the furnace of the earth, purified seven times. By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.  Uphold my steps in Your paths that my footsteps may not slip. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things and revive me in Your way.  Your commandment is my lamp and Your law to me a light. May my heart receive them today in all meekness.  My eyes are on You, my precious Savior.  In You I will take refuge. 

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

The righteous run to it and are safe.—Proverbs 18:10