Lovekr07
Member
'When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.” The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them. '
Acts 21:17-26
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.21.17-26
Paul arrived in Jerusalem and was received warmly. He met with James and the elders and gave testimony of what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry and with this they praised God. They were open to the Gospel and believed in Jesus. Paul met them where they were for they were not yet ready to let go of certain customs and traditions, for their consciences were still weak in that regard. This is where the Jews met Paul with resistance and in fear and anguish fought against him and through misunderstanding falsely accused him of telling them to turn away from Moses and the law. Paul just needed to get them to Jesus. Then the Holy Spirit could begin His work in them to transform them. Just like with sin, the Holy Spirit can set us from customs, culture, traditions, etc that bind us. It is a daily and gradual process of chain breaking and maturity. Paul also made it clear to the Gentile believers that they were not bound by these same customs and traditions that the Jews held to.
The same is true for us. We are not to make it difficult for anyone to be saved. We are to just focus on the Gospel and getting people to Jesus. The Holy Spirit will work on them at the pace that is best for them to make them more like Himself. If we bring up concepts that people are not ready for, it will hinder them. Let God do His work on people’s hearts. It is our work to plant the seed and to love and minister to them. We are to leave the rest to God. Oncer we get them to God and they accept the Gospel and are saved, then God can use us to disciple them. That is when the Holy Spirit begins to prompt us to bring up those other things as they mature and are ready. The Holy Spirit knows the right pace for there is a time and season for everything. Lord, increase our sensitivity to Your timing and process. May we speak the words You give us to speak an do all things by Your power not by our might. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Acts 21:17-26
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.21.17-26
Paul arrived in Jerusalem and was received warmly. He met with James and the elders and gave testimony of what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry and with this they praised God. They were open to the Gospel and believed in Jesus. Paul met them where they were for they were not yet ready to let go of certain customs and traditions, for their consciences were still weak in that regard. This is where the Jews met Paul with resistance and in fear and anguish fought against him and through misunderstanding falsely accused him of telling them to turn away from Moses and the law. Paul just needed to get them to Jesus. Then the Holy Spirit could begin His work in them to transform them. Just like with sin, the Holy Spirit can set us from customs, culture, traditions, etc that bind us. It is a daily and gradual process of chain breaking and maturity. Paul also made it clear to the Gentile believers that they were not bound by these same customs and traditions that the Jews held to.
The same is true for us. We are not to make it difficult for anyone to be saved. We are to just focus on the Gospel and getting people to Jesus. The Holy Spirit will work on them at the pace that is best for them to make them more like Himself. If we bring up concepts that people are not ready for, it will hinder them. Let God do His work on people’s hearts. It is our work to plant the seed and to love and minister to them. We are to leave the rest to God. Oncer we get them to God and they accept the Gospel and are saved, then God can use us to disciple them. That is when the Holy Spirit begins to prompt us to bring up those other things as they mature and are ready. The Holy Spirit knows the right pace for there is a time and season for everything. Lord, increase our sensitivity to Your timing and process. May we speak the words You give us to speak an do all things by Your power not by our might. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.