The Ongoing Conflict between Religion, Morals and Christ

The new vicar had a very different style of preaching. He taught the Bible and there was now a repeated emphasis on Jesus. Some members of the church became concerned. One lady complained to the vicar that he talked too much about Jesus. She was irritated by his reply,

“To be honest I wish I could be even more Christ-centred.”

Another parishioner also expressed her concerns. The vicar replied,

“There is a difference between your faith and mine. It can be summed up in just two letters, N and E. Yours is a ‘DO’ religion, mine is ‘DONE’.”

This conflict has been present since the beginning of the church. When Paul and his companions first visited Pisidian Antioch, on their first missionary journey, he was invited to speak in the local Jewish synagogue. He begins his sermon by briefly recapping the history of the Jewish nation. This would undoubtedly have warmed the Jewish listeners to him. But after talking about King David, Israel’s greatest King, he starts to talk about Jesus.

“From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Saviour Jesus, as he promised.” Acts 13:23

He then gives the evidence about Jesus of John the Baptist, who was widely respected in Jewish circles at that time. John pointed to Jesus saying,

“Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” Acts 13:25

Paul continues to centre his message on Jesus.

“The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognise Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.” Acts 13:27

The emphasis then shifts to the role of God, in raising Jesus from the dead. He mentions the resurrection three times and supports this fact by confirming the eye-witness evidence of Jesus disciples. He backs this up by quoting from the Jewish Scriptures that confirm that God’s Son would be a descendant of David and that even death could not defeat him.

Paul finishes his talk by making the application of this message clear to his listeners.

“Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything that could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts13:38-39

Being put right with God and living with him is the need for all people. He makes his appeal to these religious people very personal and direct,

“Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: ‘Look you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’” Acts 13:40-41

After this sermon many of the listeners wanted to know more. They followed Paul and Barnabus who spoke further about the Christ,

“ . . .who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.” Acts13:43

This phrase is striking. Keeping to their religion and to keeping, as best they could, to high moral standards is not the Christian message. This message centres on God’s love in sending his Son, Jesus Christ and that commitment to him and him alone is the only means of being put right with God - of being saved. The message of grace is a message about God’s love that is undeserved even by moral religious people; it is not about how we can merit God’s approval!

The response was dramatic. Clearly those who had heard this message about Jesus started talking to others in the city. This was a message too important to keep quiet about.

“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” Acts 13:46

The bravery and outspokenness of Barnabus and Paul was having an effect, just as it usually does. Many became fascinated by the gospel. However there was, as there always will be, a downside.

“When the Jews saw the crowds they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.” Acts 13:45

These undoubtedly moral, religious people did not like the emphasis on Jesus and the message of God’s grace. In rejecting this message they also rejected the possibility of being saved eternally. The stakes are high.

“Then Paul and Barnabus answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:46-47

Tough speaking can have its benefits, just as the outspoken Martin Luther found.

“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honoured the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of God spread through the whole region.” Acts 13:48-49

This is a simple story with profound applications for us today. The apostles were unashamed to say that their message was about the undeserved love that God has for all humanity in sending his Son to die for our sin. All Christians, churches and Christian organisations must keep holding out the Christ-centred message. The outward morals and acknowledgment of the authority of Scripture was an admirable feature of the Jewish faith but these dwarfed into insignificance when compared to the message of salvation that is in Christ.

Paul’s unashamed authority was Scripture. He used it both with the Jews and then with the Gentiles. The message of Scripture has great appeal to those who are ‘appointed for eternal life.’ It has little appeal for those who are not. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews summarised this,

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two edged sword . . . ; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

An outspoken emphasis on Jesus and the importance of the word of God as our authority will always cause a reaction, even from outwardly God-fearing, religious people.

“But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabus and expelled them from the region. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them.” Acts 13:50-51

This is tough and most unfair. But the disciples did not see it that way – they had remained faithful to Christ and to the sharing of the message about him and that is what mattered most.

“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52

How can such Christ-centred thinking and behaviour be wrong when he is the very incarnation of God. ~everything does and will revolve around him. He is our creator, Saviour and we will send eternity with him. Martin Luther was clear about this. In his ‘Tabletalk’ he writes,

“The chief lesson and study in divinity is that we learn well and rightly to know Christ, who is therein very graciously pictured forth unto us. We take pains to conciliate the good will and friendship of men, that they may show us favourable countenance; how much the more ought we to conciliate our Lord Jesus Christ, that he may be gracious unto us. St Peter says: ‘Grow up in the knowledge of Jesus Christ’, of that compassionate Lord and Master, whom all should cleave unto. Christ himself also teaches that we should learn to know him only out of Scripture, where he says: ‘Search the Scriptures; for they do testify of me.’ St John says: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,’ etc. The apostle Thomas also calls Christ, God; where he says: ‘My Lord and my God.’ In like manner, St Paul, Romans 9, speaks of Christ, that he is God; where he says: ‘Who is God over all, blessed for ever, Amen.’ And Colossians 2, ‘In Christ dwelleth all the fullness of the true Godhead bodily’; that is substantially.”i

If this is true how can a Christian not centre their lives, their thinking, their careers, their family and their hobbies on living to please him?

BVP

i ‘Marin Luther’s Tabletalk’, Christian Focus Publications 2003 p. 163