Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” – Acts 15:5
If the Pharisees believed anything, they believed one could be justified before God by keeping the law. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
There rose an opposition to Paul and Barnabas over the issue of circumcision. And many who opposed were Christians who had been Pharisees, who were well known for their desire to obey the law in the smallest details. Circumcision was a big part of the law. These Pharisees insisted that Gentile converts must also be circumcised and must live under the Law of Moses if they were to be embraced into the Christian community.
But the leaders soon come to the truth and crux of the matter. We are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus (v11). Paul himself was a former Pharisee (Philippians 3:5), who became a Christian. But he knew that Jesus was his salvation, not the way to his salvation.
Galatians 2:16 says, know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Grace is a blessing we don’t deserve. Grace is God choosing to bless us, rather than curse us, as our sin deserves. It is His generosity to the undeserving. Grace is God giving the greatest treasure to the least deserving—which is, every one of us.
How is this truth seen in your life each day?
Lord, may I never forget that I am saved by your grace alone, I pray.
Extended Reading – Acts 15-16
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It’s great to see someone explain this so clearly.
You explained it in such a relatable way. Well done!