Acts 10:34-35: Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."
Its hard not to show favoritism. Even between my two beautiful boys...that are so different and who are blessings and challenges to me in different ways in different phases. When one is going through a hard time, its easy to play favorites with the other.
Even in our society, many feel that we should play favorites. Other feel that we should include everyone. Without this turning into a political post...I want to take our attention back to the top where I quoted scripture.
You see, Peter was feeling a little high and mighty because he was summoned by God, who gave a Gentile a vision from an angel to invite Peter to his home. Peter was days away, in another city (its not like he was invited next door for dinner). He was even so bold to say, upon arrival, to the crowd of people who graciously greeted him..."You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him." (v. 28)
But Peter comes around. He's humbled and is realizing that God does now show favoritism.
Alleluia.
However, that is not all Peter realizes. It goes on to say...men from every nation WHO FEAR HIM (God) AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
I'm not trying to say that we should only love on those who are God fearing and do what is right. In my darkest times of sin and destruction, I desperately needed a Christian to come sit with me and shed some light....His holy light...into the shadows of my reality.
What I do want to say is...God doesn't just call us to love everyone. He doesn't just call us to include everyone. He doesn't just call us to sit in darkness and share his light.
He also calls those in the darkness to turn to his light. To accept him as Lord. To seek his face and respect his reverence. He calls us to do what is right and just and holy. Every. Single. Day.
Each of us has that choice to make as soon as we open our eyes each day.
So the next time you see someone hurting...don't turn your shoulder and sit in the sun. Don't go where its easy and fun. Go sit in their shadows and speak hope and life into their lives. Then, its up to them to choose goodness. To choose God.
I often feel like we want to obey the first part of this scripture...include everyone...but we miss the last and (in my opinion) most important piece. Obedience is not a one-stop shop. Its a daily intention. Sometimes hourly, or even minutes.
I'm sharing this with you as it really convicted me this morning. I have so much to work on in regards to both parts of this scripture. I've been going to church and doing Bible studies for years now and never stumbled upon this particular story/verse.
One thing I love about the Bible is that there is always something to glean.
The other thing I love about the Bible is that so many of the stories and lessons are surprisingly pertinent today.
So let's try to go forth with love for men (and women and children) from every nation. People who fear God and do what is right. And if they aren't these things, lets love them anyway and encourage them to join along.
Its hard not to show favoritism. Even between my two beautiful boys...that are so different and who are blessings and challenges to me in different ways in different phases. When one is going through a hard time, its easy to play favorites with the other.
Even in our society, many feel that we should play favorites. Other feel that we should include everyone. Without this turning into a political post...I want to take our attention back to the top where I quoted scripture.
You see, Peter was feeling a little high and mighty because he was summoned by God, who gave a Gentile a vision from an angel to invite Peter to his home. Peter was days away, in another city (its not like he was invited next door for dinner). He was even so bold to say, upon arrival, to the crowd of people who graciously greeted him..."You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him." (v. 28)
But Peter comes around. He's humbled and is realizing that God does now show favoritism.
Alleluia.
However, that is not all Peter realizes. It goes on to say...men from every nation WHO FEAR HIM (God) AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
I'm not trying to say that we should only love on those who are God fearing and do what is right. In my darkest times of sin and destruction, I desperately needed a Christian to come sit with me and shed some light....His holy light...into the shadows of my reality.
What I do want to say is...God doesn't just call us to love everyone. He doesn't just call us to include everyone. He doesn't just call us to sit in darkness and share his light.
He also calls those in the darkness to turn to his light. To accept him as Lord. To seek his face and respect his reverence. He calls us to do what is right and just and holy. Every. Single. Day.
Each of us has that choice to make as soon as we open our eyes each day.
So the next time you see someone hurting...don't turn your shoulder and sit in the sun. Don't go where its easy and fun. Go sit in their shadows and speak hope and life into their lives. Then, its up to them to choose goodness. To choose God.
I often feel like we want to obey the first part of this scripture...include everyone...but we miss the last and (in my opinion) most important piece. Obedience is not a one-stop shop. Its a daily intention. Sometimes hourly, or even minutes.
I'm sharing this with you as it really convicted me this morning. I have so much to work on in regards to both parts of this scripture. I've been going to church and doing Bible studies for years now and never stumbled upon this particular story/verse.
One thing I love about the Bible is that there is always something to glean.
The other thing I love about the Bible is that so many of the stories and lessons are surprisingly pertinent today.
So let's try to go forth with love for men (and women and children) from every nation. People who fear God and do what is right. And if they aren't these things, lets love them anyway and encourage them to join along.
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