The Christian Modifier

We all have multiple elements that are a part of our lives. We have hobbies, relationships, and goals and desires we want to achieve. Oftentimes, we allow the focus of the elements to be placed in front of our faith, allowing them to modify our faith in Jesus, minimizing the importance of our faith, or even altering the purpose of Christianity. This was exactly the discussion between the apostles and the elders in Acts 15. The instruction from some Christians of the party  Pharisees (or Pharisaical Christians) were teaching it was necessary for Gentiles to follow the laws of Moses (Acts 15:5).
The teachings of the Pharisees were ignoring the life and teachings of Jesus, which was to explain the law of the Old Testament to be “a shadow of the good things to come” (Heb. 10:1). This then placed a load on humanity which Peter expressed that the Jews were never able to uphold (Acts 15:10). Through the focus of a life lived for Jesus and seeming good to the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:25-28), they molded their response based on the power and action of God to know the heart of man and give Holy Spirit to the Gentiles (Acts 15:7) to encourage them to do well by abstaining from actions that steal their worship of Jesus.
The elements that they are to abstain from may seem a little strange to a Western society. But they represent elements that Western society still strives to achieve.  First, sacrificing for things that we hope to produce joy, stealing worship, and the focus of God. Second, some social customs or rituals are accepted as normal parts of life that God says nothing about or is actually against, which tend to lead to the celebration of sin and sexual immorality was a way the ancient world expressed rituals. The only modifier we need to pay attention to in life is the “Christian” modifier. When we focus our thoughts and efforts on what God has done and is doing, the teaching from Scripture highlights the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is the life Jesus promised to all believers.