As soon as we add conditions to grace, we lose the freedom of Christ.
I did not truly understand the gospel until I understood the concept of grace. It was the teachings of Ps. Joseph Prince from Singapore that helped me to grasp the meaning of God’s unending grace and how we don’t have to live under the law anymore.
In Acts 15, we read how the growing number of believers among Gentiles raises an important question: must non-Jewish believers adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision?
The debate is heated. Are people saved by grace alone, or by grace plus observance of religious rules?
In Jerusalem, apostles and elders gather. Peter reminds them that God gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles without distinction. “Why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?” (Acts 15:10) James confirms that this is in line with the prophets.
The conclusion is clear: salvation is by the grace of the Lord Jesus. Without additional conditions. To preserve unity, some practical agreements are made, but the basis remains grace.
Acts 15 protects the heart of the gospel. As soon as we add conditions to grace for acceptance by God, we lose the freedom of Christ.
Even today, we can unconsciously create new “rules” for ourselves and others. Cultural expectations. Unspoken norms. The question we may continue to ask: do we still truly live by grace?
Where can legalism undermine your joy in Christ?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Can you distinguish between the heart of the gospel and human traditions?
- Do you believe God’s grace is enough for you, or are you inclined to add something else, like good works, as a basis for acceptance?
