Why so strict?
Why was God so strict with Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu?
Why should we take an interest in the rules and decisions of the apostles and elders of the Church in Jerusalem (or any central body)?
Let me give you my own experience.
Over the last xx years, I have tried to be clever. I've looked at the way investments work, and thought "I could do that". I do it, successfully. Then I think "I could make this better, if I just adjust this a little, or tweak that a little". But somewhere down the line I don't understand something fundamental (usually something that the teacher doesn't understand either, but their gut instinct is better than mine), and I make a mistake. All told, I've probably lost around $100,000 over 10 years, which hurts (a lot).
In these passages, God is telling us not to "tweak a bit here and there". In Acts 15 the Apostles decide on very simple rules for gentiles, really quite gentle. But it is tempting to say "I could make an exception here", or "I will be holier before God if I do this".
Sadly, I don't think that would work for me. Of course there are people who are more spiritually aware who, like the investment teachers I refer to above, have a better instinct for what will work, what will make life flow more smoothly, what will let God's light shine. For me, I'll just try not to be so clever.
Created over 1 year ago
