Continuing on from Helen's post... these two men were obedient and faithful to what God had revealed to them and asked them to do. Each doing their part landed Peter at Cornelius' home so that Peter could preach the word to the people and the Holy Spirit poured out among all who heard the message.
God used both men from completely different backgrounds (Gentile and Jew) to fulfill his purpose in both saving those that had heard that message that day and simultaneously breaking down the earthly 'laws' man had established that really only served the purpose of hating and judging one another.
This chapter showed me how God could use anyone and any situation powerfully to serve His purpose if only we listen and obey. I hope and pray that we would have the faith and humility to break the barriers that so often separate (race, religion and so on) and have willing eyes and ears to see and hear God's calling and direction so that we may not miss opportunities to be used powerfully for His purpose.
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4 comments:
Thanks Christine!
God does not show favoritism to anyone...this is so true. I was just talking to Pastor James about something similar to this. He was telling about acceptance of who people truly are will lead to the opening of the hearts and an opportunity to build a relationship with them. I think we should do that with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ but also to those who are lost or ignorant of the Gospel. I think we're too quick to judge or make assumptions about people that can hurt them or give them the wrong message of the Gospel. God doesn't show any discrimination. Heck, he easily forgives those who curse and persecute Him and his people, but only if they are genuine in their repentance. We should follow both men's example in this passage.
Thanks for your reflection Christine.
How easy it is to freely receive but so hard to share. May we ourselves ponder the power of the Gospel and desire to be clean, usable vessels to carry and freely share it.
thank you christine for such an insightful reflection. it's probably hard to appreciate from this passage how utterly radical the revelation was to peter that the way of salvation was open to both jew and gentile. we make these erroneous distinctions even today because we don't understand God's heart for all people. if we shared His heart more we would long fervently for the salvation of unbelievers and work faithfully toward that end even as He does.
Thanks for the post Christine :)
May we have the heart to reach out to all those that are in need of the Gospel, for we do not deserve God's grace or salvation but He gives it to us freely.
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