Often Misunderstood

Acts 15: 19-35

In our very high technology life we often Tweet, Facebook, Text, or sent a reply on our E-mail that is not received in the manner or attitude in which it was written, and that is a problem with any form of written document.  It requires much thought and a good amount of talent to convey the heart attitude of the writer; was the writer sad, or glad, making a point or trying to tell you personally that they believed you were on the wrong side of an issue?  It has been said by many that it is best not to write if you have the ability to communicate in person, for the written word can often be misunderstood. 

In the verses that preceded, we witness some men from Judea that were teaching the brothers that circumcision according to the custom of Moses was required for a person to be in right standing with Christ.  And we know that Paul and Barnabas and others went to Jerusalem to address this issue with the apostles and elders of the church.  We also know that Peter spoke first and then Paul and Barnabas told what God had been doing through their ministry to the Gentiles, and last we have James wrap-up of the Jesus plus nothing and the council is in agreement, and they wrote this letter.

“The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” (Acts 15:23-29 ESV)

These wise men, who followed the leading of the Holy Spirit knew that this was too important to just put in a letter, so they did the following: and we can read the account in Acts 15: 22, “Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter.” 

I am guilty of sending email that may not express my heart and has been misunderstood as being mean spirited or harsh and the only way I know to address that is not in another note, but to look my brother or sister in the eyes and explain what I was hoping to convey in the letter or note.  The sad thing is often in this world of tweets and email we never know that we have offended someone.  I am big on truth, for only in truth can a person be set free, and Scripture (Ephesians 4:15) has told us to speak the truth in love, and often I forget the love and just want to make my point clear.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice