Reflect:
Acts 15:1-41
“Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: ‘…we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.’” (Acts 15:6-7,20)
This was the church’s first big doctrinal brouhaha. At issue was whether Gentile converts to Christ should observe Jewish laws and customs, such as circumcision, to be saved. Emotions were on edge, sides were chosen, and this issue was ready to blow the young church apart.
So, wisely, the matter was taken to the church leaders in Jerusalem to be settled. Because there were such strong feelings about this matter on both sides of the argument, whatever decision the apostolic leaders made was likely to cause unhappiness with a whole faction of church folk.
After much debate, the leaders issued their decision, reaffirming that salvation was by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not by works of righteousness, including works done through Jewish laws and customs. All they asked of the Gentile converts was that where the letter of Jewish law called for personal holiness, they honor the spirit of the law so that the same kind of God-honoring holiness would result. (Acts 15:20-21)
Now apart from the historic decision produced at this first Jerusalem Council, there is something highly instructive we learn here about effective and God-pleasing church leadership. From Peter, James and the others, we can clearly see that the call of God upon church leaders is not to keep us happy; it is to make us holy.
There is not a one of us who doesn’t hope that we get leaders who please us and do what we want. That is not a bad thing so long as it takes a back seat to the permission we give them to produce in us a life of holiness, obedience and service unto the Lord. Happiness and holiness are not mutually exclusive, yet most of the time, true and lasting happiness only results out of and after the forging of holiness in our lives. Happiness that comes before holiness is often ephemeral (and usually a barrier to growth in holiness); happiness that comes from holiness is enduring.
What expectations do you have of your spiritual leader? Think about it. Do you put the highest premium on his or her contribution to your personal happiness? Do you want them to make you more comfortable in your faith journey? Are you hoping they lead in a way that satisfies your preferences? Or, above all else, have you given them permission—have you demanded—that they lead in such a way that holiness is forged in your life?
I think we all know the better use of a spiritual leader.
“We need a baptism of clear seeing. We desperately need seers who can see through the mist—Christian leaders with prophetic vision. Unless they come soon it will be too late for this generation. And if they do come we will no doubt crucify a few of them in the name of our worldly orthodoxy.” ~A.W. Tozer
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