Title
Old Baggage
Scripture
“...Those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
(Acts 11:2-3)
Devotional
It is hard to rid ourselves of old baggage. By old baggage, I mean those traditions and beliefs that we have held to be true for years and years. Oftentimes our baggage is what hinders us from growing and understanding the plan God has in store for us. The men in this text were godly men, leaders of the church. In fact, they heard from the apostle Paul that salvation had come to all men. However, they could not get past the old baggage that said all Gentiles were sinners, unable to be grafted in as God’s chosen people. Because of this tradition, they rejected the fact that God had brought salvation to the Gentiles. What is the old baggage in your life? Are there any old customs or beliefs that are hindering you from God’s very best? Examine that old baggage---be willing and ready to change if God so desires.
Thought For The Night
“Having traveled full-time for 14 years doing concerts, I should have packing down to an exact science. But it’s simply not so. Our family of four always leaves home loaded with a humiliatingly inordinate amount of excess baggage. It’s possible to go through life with excess emotional baggage as well. Hurts and memories can make us unable to move toward emotional intimacy. It is vital to our spiritual and emotional growth that we identify these hurts, because Christ cannot heal suffering we insist isn’t there. And without his healing, the weight of excess baggage will wreak havoc on our capacity to love and be loved.” Annie Chapman, Today's Christian Woman
Evening Text
Acts 11:2, 3: Those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
Looking for Answers
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Does God carry “old baggage?”
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Do you carry “old baggage?”
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What does your “old baggage” look like?
Evening Study Guide
Defining: “Tradition”: The passing on of ways, methods, doctrines, practices, songs, translations, and the like from one generation to another.
Referencing: “Laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men… you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition… making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down,” Mark 7:8-13.
Applying: Traditions are often good, that’s why they become traditions. However, make sure that your traditions do not override the will and ways of God.