Fighting for What Matters Most — Day 4
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Day 4: Gatekeepers of Grace
Devotional
The Jerusalem Council confronted a profound question: who belongs in God's family? Some wanted to establish cultural and religious checkpoints that Gentiles had to pass through before being fully accepted. But the apostles recognized a dangerous tendency to become gatekeepers of a grace they themselves had freely received. Peter's powerful testimony reminded everyone that God had already welcomed Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit—the same gift Jewish believers had received. This divine acceptance preceded any human approval. God had made His decision clear: faith in Christ alone qualifies someone for His family. This challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we subtly create unwritten requirements for who belongs in our churches? Perhaps we expect new believers to adopt our political views, cultural preferences, or even our worship style before we fully embrace them. We might not require circumcision, but we often establish modern equivalents—expectations that go beyond Scripture's teaching about salvation. The Jerusalem Council reminds us that we don't own the gospel—we've merely received it. Our role isn't to restrict access but to remove barriers, welcoming others with the same grace that welcomed us. After all, none of us earned our place in God's family. We're all recipients of an undeserved invitation.
Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. - Acts 15:10-11
Reflection Question
What unspoken expectations or cultural requirements might you be placing on others before fully accepting them as brothers and sisters in Christ?
“We must not be gatekeepers to a gospel that we didn't earn.”
~Pastor Mike Mura
Prayer
Gracious God, forgive me for the times I've appointed myself gatekeeper of Your grace. Remind me that I stand before You only because of Christ's work, not my own. Help me welcome others with open arms, celebrating the diversity of Your family rather than demanding conformity. May I never place burdens on others that You never intended them to carry. Amen.