"... but that you yourself observe and guard the law." — Acts 21:24
Reflecting on this important account of Paul's 3rd Missionary journey, he's making an appeal for unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians. For instance, although the Gentiles did not have to abide by the Old Testament's circumcision requirements, minimally, as newly converted Gentile Christians, they were urged to adhere to the strict laws pertaining to food such as abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, from consuming of blood and animals that are strangled to death, as well as sexual impurity.
To further proof his legitimacy as a Jew, Paul also undertook to accompany 4 men, under the Nazirite vows, and went through the rites of purification in solidarity with them. His words and statements are also in line with what our LORD JESUS said in Matthew 5:17, NSRV - "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill."
The God of Infinite Mercy and Grace is also the same Holy God, who needs to be revered with holy awe. Just because we are saved by Grace, doesn't give us a free license to keep on living immorally or ignore the fact that our freedom from the penalties of sin was paid with a heavy price, the Holy Immortal Blood of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
One day, we will join the Heavenly Chorus in singing praises to the Lamb who was slain. "Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, 'To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might for ever and ever!'" (Revelations 5:13).
I will close with this beautiful modern worship, that sings of Christ's great sacrifice.
Thank You Jesus for the Blood
I was a wretch
I remember who I was
I was lost, I was blind
I was running out of time
Sin separated
The breach was far too wide
But from the far side of the chasm
You held me in your sight
So You made a way
Across the great divide
Left behind Heaven's throne
To build it here inside
And there at the cross
You paid the debt I owed
Broke my chains, freed my soul
For the first time I had hope
Thank you Jesus for the blood applied
Thank you Jesus, it has washed me white
Thank you Jesus, You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light
You took my place
Laid inside my tomb of sin
You were buried for three days
But then You walked right out again
And now death has no sting
And life has no end
For I have been transformed
By the blood of the lamb
Thank You Jesus for the blood applied (thank You Jesus)
Thank You Jesus, it has washed me white
Thank You Jesus, You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light
There is nothing stronger
Than the wonder working power of the blood
The blood
That calls us sons and daughters
We are ransomed by our Father
Through the blood
The blood
There is nothing stronger
Of the wonder working power of the blood
The blood
That calls us sons and daughters
We are ransomed by the Father
Through the blood
The blood
Thank You Jesus for the blood applied
Thank You Jesus, it have washed me white
Thank You Jesus, You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light
Glory to His name
Glory to His name
There to my heart was the blood applied
Glory to His name
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Charity Gayle / John Hart Stockton / Bryan Mccleery / David Gentiles / Ryan Kennedy / Steven Musso / Elisha Albright Hoffman
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/dhU-Omwg2rU
Reflection on Acts 21:17-26 by Chris Tan
No comments:
Post a Comment