Saturday 6 May 2023

May 6: Acts 13:44-52

Key Verse: Acts 13:50
But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

Devotion:
One of the big problems we have in our society today is the fighting between different churches and different religions. This is one of the hardest things for me to accept in our communities and one which I am sure the Lord does not like either. If we are going to say we are Christians, then we should be able to act like Christians and get along.

Around this time the Jewish leaders were getting more and more upset by the fact people were meeting together outside of their religious circle. Up until this point they had a fairly good grasp on the people by imposing their rules, which were based on the laws of Moses, on them. What they were doing though was expanding on Moses’ laws with their own rules so they could remain in power. They were not going to accept the truth about Jesus because it would mean they would have to change!

So much of the fighting between religions is based on jealousy; one being jealous the other is getting more people through the door or have a bigger building. When those feelings start coming into the church, leaders may well seek to make their own rules in order to keep control of what they have.

When Jesus went around telling people about God, He did not impose any rules outside the Word of God. If people were doing their own thing instead of following the Word of God, He would tell them. If people were lost in their own ways of living, He would tell them. Some people listened and were able to change. Others rebelled and continued to work against God.

Points to Ponder:
Does your work support God or man?

Will you try to restrict your teaching to be within the bible?