from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church http://bit.ly/306v4lQ
via IFTTT Here is the simple answer to a debate still raging today. Why do we still argue over something settled so long ago? Because the attraction to legalism is strong, very strong. In fact, legalism is connected to the original sin of desiring to be like God by seeking for ourselves the knowledge of good and evil so that we can decide. So that we can choose our own path. The apostles here struggled with the common question, "do those who believe today need to follow the law of Moses"? Are we bound by regulations around food, ceremony, etc? In a word, no. After much debate and seeking the Holy Spirit, they agree on 4 and only 4 things new believers are bound to: 1. Avoid things sacrificed to idols 2. Avoid drinking blood 3. Avoid meat that did not have blood drained 4. Avoid fornication Interestingly, these are the top 4 actions performed in satanic rituals, and the top 4 things pushed by the world today. But, these are not actually things originating in the law of Moses. When God told Noah it was good to eat meat for the first time in human history, He gave a restriction of no blood, no strangling. Blood from animals was to be poured on the ground before consuming the meat. This was a law of how to properly eat meat for all humans. Things knowingly sacrificed to idols, represent the products of things done in obvious rebellion to God. Universal law. One can not participate in open rebellion to God on any level and claim righteousness. Fornication, a word used to describe sexual sin of any nature, violates the basic structure of the family created by God. It is a base perversion from "what is good" to "what feels good", putting man back in control instead of God. These four things, rebellion to God directly through idol worship, rebellion to the natural order of the circle of life, and rebellion to the structure of the family, are at the core of human existence. Universal law. The rest of the law of Moses, the apostles proclaim to be not an obligation to new believers. Their reasons are well documented in this chapter. Why do we continue to argue about things settled so long ago? Why is there still a question today of "can I eat pork?" Or "must I circumcise my son?" ? Because the heart of man is evil. The heart of man constantly wants to rule over others through laws, guidelines, restrictions, whatever he can. "You can't do this" or "you must do that" is a common element of religion. And it is wrong. We are to live day by day, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit in each moment in every detail of life. To ensure we do not go astray we check our paths against the written word that is consistent in the entirety of scripture and we pray without ceasing. A humble heart constantly seeking "what would Jesus do" will not betray God. But it's not that the law is done away with. That's the wrong way to think of this. Instead it is that now, through the Holy Spirit living within us , we can finally fulfil the spirit of law daily. We will keep the law, in spirit, when we seek to follow God. But we do not rely on the specific actions of the law to make us acceptable to God. Following the letter of the law does not make us better than anyone else. Laws necessarily describe the intent of the lawgiver and set the minimum bar to achieve. But we are called to live beyond the minimum, living in the will and heart of God. And we can, by following the Holy Spirit instead of the letter of the law. The law is an education. It shows us God's heart and the way of happiness in this life. It is good. But it does not cleanse the heart. It is powerless to save us. Nevertheless we seek to know it because all true believer desire to know God, their creator. True believers want to follow God's laws. It is not a burden, but a joy. But we do not follow the written law, rather the living law of the Holy Spirit speaking to us within. The written law just serves as an introduction and a double check against error. Can we eat pork? Sure. Must we be circumcised? No. Must we weigh each of those actions against the witness they give others? Yes. Sound complex? It isn't really. Just do this.... Always ask in every situation, "what would Jesus do" and trust that your daily reading of scripture, and constant prayer without ceasing will allow you to hear that still small voice guiding you into all truth.
