Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

Acts 15:8-11

God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are

The Gentile converts weren't following all the rules, like circumcision. So the Jews weren't willing to really accept them. But Peter, "What God had cleansed, no longer consider unholy", sheet dream Peter, knew God was the God of all who would follow Him. Peter who knew firsthand the forgiveness of Jesus when he denied Him. He understood God grace was nothing to be earned through just doing the right things. It was a matter of faith in what Christ has done.

The older I get, the less black and white I see certain things. I'm not talking about the big issues that are clearly against what the Bible teaches. But secondary things, man made rules, and personal preferences just seem so much less important. I need to keep reminding myself that if God can grant grace to me in so many areas, one of the best ways for me to reflect Him is to be just as graceful towards others with whom I may not agree on some matters. I have been released from trying to bear the weight of the law. Who am I to impose my own laws on my brothers and sisters.