Wednesday, July 4th
Read: Acts 10
The world we live in today is filled with an abundance of ethnic groups and religions, often living in close quarters. People from all over the world can be found in almost every major city. In fact, it’s possible that every day you interact with at least two or three people from a different ethnic background or faith. It’s pretty normal behavior when we connect most closely and feel most comfortable around those who are the most similar to us. Sometimes we get into a habit, however, of only seeking out relationships with people of our own culture or heritage or social class or background. Sometimes we fear what is different because it takes more effort to create connections with people who are different than us.
In Bible times we see an enormous amount of segregation between cultures and ethnic groups. Peter was a Jew and for most of his life didn’t associate with Gentiles. So in this chapter of Acts we see that it took Peter a while to realize through his encounter with Cornelius that the Lord actually wanted him to go and meet with a Gentile in his own home. Remember, this was strictly forbidden in Jewish law because Gentiles and their households were unclean!
Peter took a risk and went. When he preached to Cornelius and his household, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. The lives of Cornelius and his family members were revolutionized. Cornelius likely had a significant amount of influence over those in his work, too, as he was the Captain of his regiment. Peter’s risk very likely impacted those working under Cornelius too as they would see the power of the gospel and the change the Holy Spirit did in his life. Peter could have started a Jesus revolution in the Italian regiment because he followed the Lord’s leading.
Peter and the brethren were amazed at what had happened, and realized that God does not restrict salvation to just one group or race of people. The fact that the gospel came to the Gentiles was huge for the Jews. It meant that God had a plan for them as well. Now the Gentiles were always welcome to have God’s blessings, but they had to become part of Israel for those blessings up to this point in time. But now it meant that anyone could experience God’s blessings, without being a Jew! Salvation is for the ‘whosoever.’ Sometimes our thinking is stuck in a rut. We stay inside the box and question God, as Peter did, when he instructs us to do something out of the ordinary and possibly against what we’ve always believed.
We must examine our thoughts and actions moment by moment through God’s filter (the Word). The truth of the gospel is not just for those who we expect will be open to receive it. The truth of the gospel is not just for those who fit into a profile that we have conjured up in our mind.
There are people you walk by and maybe even talk to every day who have not yet received salvation. They may even have a different faith. Would you consider telling them about the joy that Jesus Christ brings? It is God’s desire that all would be saved. Let’s do our best to fulfill our Lord’s desire. Let’s cast off spiritual prejudices, proclaiming truth in the name of Jesus by our words, and the way we live, so that the Gentile nations and people of different faiths come to know the one true God and experience him through Jesus.
Process:
– Do you have any spiritual prejudices? Would you even consider having a meal in the home of a Muslim, a Buddhist or a Jehovah’s Witness?
– Do you know how to witness to people of other faiths? Consider learning about them so that you have a deeper understanding of them and their faith.
– Do you have any prejudices of any kind against others (lifestyle, looks, ideas, etc.)?
We are all created and loved by God. All people are equal in his sight because they are all his creation.
– In what ways can you love and present the Gospel to those who are different than you?
Youth Department