Daily Devotions - Stand on Your Principles

Acts 21:17-26 (NIV)
Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.” 26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

 

How do you decide when you should bend for the sake of others, and when you should stand on your principles?

If bending to someone would not bring disgrace to Christ or Christianity I could bend and if in the end, it could be helpful to someone that would be great!

 

Lord, I thank you that I am not living under a set of laws that give no freedom and certainly would not allow me to serve you freely from my heart. I am so grateful that you see me and have saved me just as I am. Father, I pray for those who are trying to find their way to you through customs and laws that are not of you. I pray for the work of your Holy Spirit to open the hearts and minds of those seeking you to realize how much you love them.and not the rituals or works they do. Lord your love is so pure, so simple and so available all the time! Amen!