Ruins Rebuilt to Reach the World

Acts 15.13-35: Last week we asked a big question, “How can one be saved?” This week two other big questions get answered: “Who are we?” and “Why are we here?” Knowing our identity and purpose is vital to life. We can be lost in life and aimless without knowing such vital truths. In today’s text, James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem recalls the words of the prophets in the Old Testament to affirm that what is taking place with Gentiles being saved by grace alone is of God and speaks to God’s work of taking broken and ruined people and rebuilding them with a purpose for their life. God has never called us to have it all figured out and to live these perfect pristine lives. Instead He takes ruins and rebuilds broken lives to go and reach the world. He was doing that to Jews and Gentiles. It is why He sent Jesus and now through Christ God is fulfilling His mission in the pages of Acts and even in our day. God’s grace is for real life, for everyday living and by it we are saved and rebuilt to be God’s holy people. So, let us be the rebuilt ruins that reach the world.