Calling Out the Cultural Conflicts

Scripture: Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. Acts 15:19-20

Observation: The council of Jerusalem makes this determination ... that Gentiles do not need to be converted to Judaism in order to be Christians. Specifically, being selected for faith in Jesus Christ is not dependent upon being set apart as a Jew. That said, of course it is necessary to believe in Yahweh if one is declaring faith in the Messiah - the son of the Lord - and thus they define non-negotiables that are important for anyone professing such belief.

-- Rejection of false gods

-- Purity in sexual practices

-- Avoidance of unprepared or raw food

It is important to note that, while these are all part of Jewish law, these were not called out for that reason. These three elements are called out because they are elements of faithful living, but were actively promoted in Greco-Roman culture. The culture of that day actively declared as not just normal, but good, worship of Greek and Roman gods, unnatural and open sexual acts, and gluttonous consumption.

Therefore, while compliance with the law wasn't mandated, proper lifestyles in a manner that complies with God's instructions is a hallmark of anyone who is faithful to the Lord, and it is especially necessary to pay attention to those elements where culture has formulated ideas that contradict the Lord.

Application: My heart hurts even thinking about this in the context of my time within the Presbyterian Church (USA). The major issues of that large denomination began with one debate ... that it wasn't necessary to "call out" purity of sexual practices as one individual element of the law to be obeyed. As it turns out, in U.S. culture here in the early 21st century, it is obvious that this is in fact very necessary to call out, just as it was for the early church in the 1st century culture of Rome.

In my heart, I know this is the element of the law that needs to most attention. Our society flaunts its rejection of sexual purity, and finds it odd for anyone who upholds God's teaching. I wish I was better in my mind in this area as well.

Prayer: Lord, our Gentile society needs your strong word. We Gentile believers in Jesus need your loving correction and guidance and forgiveness. Amen.