“Remove the Plank…”

Scripture: The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.  So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
Acts 11:1-3,18 NIV

Observation: Converted Jews and the Apostles hear of Peter’s interaction with Gentiles and take him to task about it.

Application: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19 NIV Jesus’ words to his apostles say nothing of “all Jewish nations,” they say all nations. Afterall, when you get past the Jews, all you have left are Gentiles. When I see this and “Monday-morning” quarterback it I just think, what a bunch of boneheads!  Then I’m reminded “there but for the grace of God go I.”  Are we really any different from the Apostles and young church?  We’re so sophisticated, we would never “not get” or misunderstand a directive from the Lord…right?  Yeah, right!  I need to “…first take the plank out of your(my) own eye, and then you(I) will see clearly to remove the speck from your(my) brother’s eye.”  Matthew 5:7 NIV I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I think that Jesus doesn’t want me to be critical of the first church for not seeing the obvious. I think He doesn’t want me to nag my wife for not doing things exactly how I would do them, afterall, I’m flawless. I think Jesus doesn’t want me to be a hypocrite. He doesn’t want me to point out everyone else’s flaws and forget to make corrections in my life. It’s been said that Christianity is the easiest thing in the world to obtain and it’s the hardest thing in the world the maintain. I’m not sure that’s very scriptural but to me the meaning is clear, “I’m a Christian…NOW ACT LIKE IT!”

Prayer: Father, I’m no better and no worse than members of the first church or any other Christians. Help me to realize that the church is made up of faulty humans. None of us are perfect…we’re just forgiven. Amen

Doug