Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, and the two men urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God. Acts 13:43

Relying on the grace of God was a new concept among the Jews. Instead, the Law of Moses instructed them in the Old Testament to offer sacrifices. 

Lay your hand on the animal’s head, and the LORD will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him. Leviticus 1:4 

This had been the Jewish way of for about 1600 years. They were to kill an animal so they could be purified instead of dying because of their sins. This practice started with the Passover—the night before their release from the Egyptian bondage.

The Apostle Paul, however, shared with them that God provided a better way. Jesus died on the cross once and for everyone. He said,

Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do. Acts 13:39

As a result of this better way, the creator of the universe provided eternal life with Him. Many of the Jewish people couldn’t handle that type of change. I can imagine what they were saying. “We’ve never done it like this before.” “This is the way we have always done it.” Paul offered this warning in verse 41, spoken by the prophet Habakkuk. 

For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. Acts 13:41

There were, however, Jews and those converted to Judaism who believed the apostle’s message and wanted to hear more. In fact, verse 44 says the next week, almost the entire city turned out to listen to them.

The Message of Grace

The message Paul and Barnabas offered to these folks was accepted, but there was an obstacle. They no longer needed to go through the motions of the law. They were encouraged to get used to the idea of relying on the grace of God.

We also battle with some things similar to what the early church saints battled with. Ours aren’t animal sacrifices, but they do fall into the line of traditions and habits that look religious. 

We can get hung up on what a church service should look like. And what style of music is appropriate. These issues and others don’t have anything to do with the grace of God. They are strictly our personal preferences. 

There is nothing wrong with holding to a tradition or having a personal preference. There are many methods of serving Jesus without distorting His message. But, when your way of thinking causes you to become critical of someone else’s ways, you have crossed a line.

Some have made their own rules for salvation. They have decided that it takes works to secure their salvation. But look at what Paul told us in the book of Ephesians.

God Saved Us By His Grace

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9

Just like in the early church, grace was also afforded to us. To continually rely on His grace, trust God and His Word, and live in obedience to it. Remember that His grace is always sufficient for us.

Lord, sometimes we get hung up in our own ways. Forgive us when we cross the line from your grace to legalism.