By Andrew Williams
Acts 15:7-11 (NLT) “At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: ‘Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe. God knows people’s hearts, and He confirmed that He accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts through faith. So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.’”
Good morning fellow disciples.
In this passage, Peter speaks boldly at the Jerusalem Council, addressing a debate about whether Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish law to be saved. Peter reminds the believers that salvation is not earned through works or adherence to the law but is a gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile, cleansing all hearts through faith. Peter’s words redirect the focus of the early church back to the heart of the Gospel: salvation by grace alone, through faith alone.
Peter’s speech empowers us to stand firm in the truth of God’s grace and to embrace the inclusivity of the Gospel. As disciples, we are reminded that salvation is not something we can earn or achieve through our efforts—it is a gift freely given by God. This truth allows us to rest in His grace and extend that same grace to others, regardless of their background or circumstances. Peter’s reminder to avoid placing unnecessary burdens on others challenges us to examine how we share the Gospel, ensuring that we point people to Jesus, not to human traditions or expectations.
This week, reflect on the grace you’ve received through Jesus Christ. Are there areas where you’ve been striving to earn God’s favor instead of resting in His grace? Redirect your focus to trusting in His finished work on the cross. Additionally, consider how you present the Gospel to others. Are you welcoming and inclusive, as God’s grace is, or are you unintentionally placing barriers in front of others? Share the message of God’s grace with someone this week, focusing on His love and the simplicity of salvation through faith. Commit to being a messenger of His grace, making no distinctions among His children.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the undeserved grace You’ve given me through Jesus Christ. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to earn Your favor or placed unnecessary burdens on others. Help me to redirect my focus to the truth that salvation is through faith in You alone. Teach me to embrace Your grace fully and to share it freely with others, welcoming all people into Your Kingdom without judgment or barriers. Use me, Lord, to reflect Your love and point others to the simplicity of the Gospel. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
