Disciplined Faith--Part II

Acts 10:9-16—About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.  He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.  He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”  “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

 

Another set of rules we see Peter following in this Scripture passage has to do with the ancient Jewish law.  For centuries, the Jewish law prohibited Jews from consuming certain foods and associating with certain “unclean” people, like Gentiles.  As a rule follower, Peter abided by these rules even though they clashed with the command that Jesus gave Him to go out into the world and spread the gospel.  In this passage, we even hear Peter question God’s command to eat what is impure and unclean.  In this vision, God tells Peter not to be so consumed with following rules that he misses out on what he has truly been called to do—minister and build relationships with others.  God is giving Peter permission to break the Jewish rules because those rules were made by man—not by God.  Though there was a time when those rules served a purpose, God alerts Peter that the time has passed and those rules interfere with God’s plans.  I sometimes think of rules and traditions like a cast that is used to set a broken bone.  Initially, the cast is absolutely essential to place the bone in a safe place so it can heal.  Eventually, though, once the bone heals the cast must be removed.  If the cast remains too long, the muscles will atrophy and that part of the body will wither and die.  In the context of religion, the same is true.  Churches often need traditions and rules to give them structure to survive.  But at a certain point, the rules and traditions may begin to interfere with God’s plan and cause the church to wither and die.  It’s important to pause and listen to God, especially when we start to feel too comfortable in what we are doing.  He always reveals His plans for us and He will make His intentions known. 

Today, as you pray and meditate on His Word, ask God to reveal those areas of your life that have been too systematized.  Question whether there are rules and traditions you blindly follow.  Is there something that is getting in between you and your connection with God and your connection with those around you?  Open your heart and ask God to reveal His will for you.  Pray that He gives you courage to follow Him and wisdom to understand His call.