In today’s reading we see that the leaders of the church wanted good fruit from their decisions. So they appealed to what was most important to both groups of people. They found a middle course of action that allows unity to remain intact despite differences of view. Certain requirements of the Law bring good fruit; that is, build better relationships. These requirements, and only these, were retained for the Gentile followers of Jesus. Firstly, Gentiles should abstain from eating unclean meat. This was because the Jewish group would consider them to be unclean, and so could not socialise with them, or they themselves would become unclean. In other words, ask the Gentile group to abstain from eating unclean meat out of love for the Jewish group. By doing this both groups could socialise with one another. They would be one fellowship. Secondly, the Gentiles should avoid unlawful marriage. For example, to a close relative. This request was for the same reason. So that no offence was caused to the Jewish group, and so that unity could be preserved. But there was no requirement for Gentiles to become circumcised, or to sacrifice animals as an atonement for sin. Laws of Moses would be a burden to the Gentile group, so the rules were kept to a minimum so as to not burden them with responsibilities they did not value.

We know that this was God’s choice too because of the fruit. The working of the Holy Spirit continued equally with both the Gentile and the Jewish group. Unity in the community was preserved so that Paul, a Jew, could continue to minister to the Gentile group, without offending the Jewish group. The early church grew rapidly because everyone could see the fruit and people saw how those Christians loved one another. The compromise decision was a demonstration of that love.

Laws and rules help us to make good decisions. But the grace of God expressed as unconditional love in a community helps us to make God decisions.