Ever feel like following Jesus comes with an impossible checklist? Like you’re standing in a hammock instead of actually resting in it?

That’s the image Pastor Mark used to kick off a challenging message from Acts 15—and it’s a picture worth pondering. A dog standing awkwardly in a hammock might technically be “in” it, but he’s missing the whole point. He’s still carrying his own weight, still straining, still working. Sound familiar?

When Religion Gets in the Way

The early church faced a crisis that sounds surprisingly modern: Should new believers have to look, act, and live exactly like the established religious community to truly follow Jesus?

Jewish believers were insisting that Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and follow the full Mosaic law. It seemed reasonable—after all, these were God’s people with centuries of tradition. But they were unnecessarily complicating the path to Jesus.

The Jerusalem Council’s response? “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements” (Acts 15:28). They stripped away the cultural baggage and focused on what truly mattered: faith in Jesus and living in sexual purity.

Notice that phrase: “It seemed good.” Not “We are absolutely certain.” Not “Here’s the foolproof formula.” The leaders closest to Jesus admitted they were navigating with wisdom and the Spirit’s guidance—not rigid certainty.

Grace and Truth Walking Together

Here’s where it gets uncomfortable: We love formulas. We want clear lines, definitive answers, and the ability to measure who’s “in” and who’s “out.”

But Jesus modeled something different. When the woman caught in adultery stood before Him, He didn’t lead with condemnation. “Neither do I condemn you,” He said first. Then came the truth: “Go and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11).

Full grace. Full truth. No compromise on either.

Today’s church struggles with this balance. Some camps major on truth and become judgmental jerks. Others emphasize grace so heavily that sin gets rationalized away. Both miss the mark.

What Really Matters

The Jerusalem Council made Jesus—not culture, not race, not tradition—the center of their decision. They refused to let secondary issues become the Antichrist (anything that takes Jesus’ rightful place).

That’s a gut-check for us in 2026. Have we made our political views, our cultural preferences, or even our skin color more important than Jesus? Are we more devoted to being “right” than being Christlike?

The early church changed the world without budgets, social media campaigns, or political power. They simply lived compelling lives that made people ask, “Why are you different?” Then they shared their story: life before Christ, meeting Christ, life after Christ.

Your Next Step

Here’s the challenge: Stop church-hopping when you get uncomfortable. Stop demanding certainty where Scripture offers principles. Stop making the path to Jesus more complicated than it needs to be.

Instead, ask yourself: Am I truly resting in Christ, or am I still standing in the hammock carrying my own weight? Where have I replaced Jesus with something else—even good things like theology, tradition, or tribe?

The 225,000 people in Lake County alone who need Jesus won’t find Him through perfect doctrine or flawless Christians. They’ll find Him through ordinary people living in a way that makes hope contagious.

Ready to share your story? Think of one person far from God but close to you. Pray for an opportunity this week to simply share what Jesus has done in your life.

Jesus, help us rest fully in Your grace without compromising Your truth. Forgive us for making following You more complicated than You intended. Give us courage to keep You on the throne—above our culture, our preferences, and our certainties. Make our lives so compelling that others ask why we’re different. Amen.