Monday, 06 July 2009 01:00 | and posted in Prayer & Guidance
The book of Acts in the New Testament contains a couple of fascinating stories about God guiding the early church that give us insight into how we too can receive guidance from God for our lives today. The story I want to look at with you is from Acts 15: 1-35. Here the apostles and elders of the early church meet together to discuss whether Gentile converts to Jesus needed to be circumcised.
So what can we learn from how they made this decision?
Firstly, they discussed it. When we come to make important life decisions we need to invite the input of wise people (some of whom will know you well, others may not – God can speak through both). These may be your parents, other family members, friends, school teachers or church leaders. Ask people who will speak the truth and not just say what you want to hear.
Secondly, they considered the fruit of their options (Acts 15:12). Good decisions will bear good fruit!
Thirdly, they sought to be faithful to Scripture (Acts 15:15). Now the Bible will not tell you who to marry, where to live, which uni to go to, what to study etc. But it does reveal who God is, what his purposes are and who he says we are! It is to the interpretation of these things that I think James’ purpose when he quotes from the prophets in Acts 15:16-18.
When the meeting was over the apostles and elders announced their decision in a letter to the Gentile churches. In it they say the strangest thing: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you...” (Acts 15:28)
Wow!
Incredible!
Maybe I’m biased, but this is one of the most important church meetings ever, ever held and they say it “seems” like they’ve made the best decision!!!
When we want guidance from God we often desire something more definite: an audible voice from heaven, a flashing neon sign in the sky, or a clear word of prophecy as examples. It’s like we want to have all doubt eliminated. We are looking for an external sign when we should be looking internally to the Spirit who indwells us. Which way we feel guided or led will be, more often than not, an internal feeling.
In Acts 15:28 the apostles and elders did not claim to have a definite, concrete word from God. It seemed good or it felt right or it made sense or it was their gut instinct. This is how the Holy Spirit often guides us as we discuss, consider and seek God by ourselves and with others over the big decisions we need to make. The apostles and elders recognise that they have a decision to make and take responsibility for this, but in a humble way. They leave space to be wrong; for God to change their minds later.
They also don’t try to eliminate doubt.
It’s like God and man made the decision together. I think this is how guidance works. Rob Bell puts it this way: “They hold their action and God’s action in healthy tension. They understand that they have action to take, but they also understand that God is at work as well.”*
Guidance is a journey in which we take an active role in tandem with the Holy Spirit. Together we decide how to move forward.
FOOTNOTE:
*Velvet Elvis p58.