Scheduled Reading: (click here to read; click Back on your browser to return here)
- 1 Chronicles 23 - 24:19
- Psalm 89:22-28
- Proverbs 18:10-12
- Acts 15:1-21
What do Tropical Storm Bonnie and this story of Jews, Gentiles, Circumcision, and parting company have in common? Nothing much really, except you could see them both coming from a long way off, and in the big middle of it, it is difficult to know whether it is going to turn out OK.
My point? Glad you asked! We have all heard about the different theories posited about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Some say a storm in the Gulf will just push the oil inland and get it all over everything - making the place inhabitable. Others say no, the powerful wind and surf will serve to break up the oil better and let the sea reclaim her oil as she does with the countless leaks seeping from her floor all the time.
So now we are watching Tropical Storm Bonnie set her sights on the Gulf oil spill. B.P. is evacuating the Deep Water Horizon, and my parish (county for any non-Louisianans) is under a state of emergency as I type. We watch and wait.
The Jews had to endure circumcision, so they thought it only fair to impose the rite on the converted Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas got into it over John who ditched them. They decided it would be best to go their separate ways. Was it a bad thing? The world watched and waited.
Turns out, that nope, God worked it for good and for His glory. The Gospel got spread even more effectively because of the arguments and split up.
Sometimes it takes a bit of a storm to break things apart so they can do some good. We just have to trust the One who's in charge. That's easy to say when you are between storms and much harder to do in the thick of it. Nevertheless, its true.
Can you imagine the "business meeting" that took place as they discussed that subject. After all offered up each opinion, Paul summed it up -
ReplyDelete11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
The truth !!!