CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION -. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. (Acts 15:29)

 

CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “Abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.” (Acts 15:29).

The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.

First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.

Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as .

Bible Verse – “Abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. (Acts 15:29).

IN CONTEXT

“Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have confused you by their teaching, upsetting your souls, so it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:

Abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from acts of sexual immorality; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well.” (Acts 15:24-29).

REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:

“I will abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. And, If I keep myself from these, I will do well. (Acts 15:29).

There seems to be a fine line between treating scriptures strictly as “do’s and don’t’s” which can turn The New Covenant give to us by Jesus into just another Law – which, as we know, no one can keep. This inevitably lead to a form of legalism or ‘law keeping’. A burden far too heavy for anyone.

Therefore, we will focus on the essentials: Abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from acts of sexual immorality.

Interestingly, Here are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:

1 Peter 2:15 “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Do you want to see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these three verses sound too simple? Well, you can expand on these verses. But, just try these for a start.

DO RIGHT.

RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT.

ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.

IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS

Interesting, isn’t it? God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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