And suddenly the assembly fell silent

And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us,  and He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? Acts 15:8-9

It is so very difficult for us to be stripped of our cultural and personality baggage; things that are not bad in and of themselves, but simply the way we see life and God- through a mirror darkly.  

It is very difficult for me, for example, to truly release my judgement of night owls- surely people who rise before dawn are simply more spiritual than those other sorts.  Our Friday night Bible study explored this too, with each of us sharing stories of when God pulled something surprising.  And really, it was all about him saying, “You had me in this small, neat box.  Well, I am much bigger than that, which is not only a good thing, but it is simply true.”  Amy sent in a devotional last night on this verse: “But Naaman went away angry and said, ’I thought that...” 2 Kings 5:11

That is why it is so instructive to thoughtfully examine these early disciples drinking from new wineskins.  God was doing big new things and it kept them up late at night and a little upset and ironically enough, they put it back together again with four neat bullet points, which later have to be clarified by Paul.   

The main thing is to watch where the Spirit moves.  He is not bound by our humanity, but is free to move through as a burning flame where He wills.  That was the thing about the signs, “Hey, look over here– I am at work!  Release your prejudices and cease you yoke-placing.  This is My work, not yours, lest anyone should boast.”

And secondly, much as Jesus pointed out, is like unto it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  Paul clarified James' points in Galatians: My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love.  And once again He clarifies, watch the Spirit– and the fruit of the Spirit... this is Me at work.  

Holy Fire burn away, 

My desire for anything

That is not of you and is of me.

I want more of you and less of me.