He Made No Distinction
In Acts 9 we began to see a change in attitude regarding the Gentiles. God instigates this early in the new church life all by Himself. First He announces it to Ananias regarding Paul's call (Acts 9:15). Then through a vision, Cornelius, a Gentile, calls for Peter (Acts 10:1-6). In the meantime Peter has his own vision (Acts 10:9-16). In the vision God instructs Peter, "Do not call anything impure that God as made clean." While still contemplating the vision, Peter is then invited to the home of Cornelius. There in the home of Cornelius, a “devout and God-fearing” man that “gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly” Peter realized what God had been showing him, “I should not call any man impure or unclean.” (Acts 10:28) He would continue to strengthen this position with many words including, “God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:35) Peter would later explain his actions to the rest of the church in Jerusalem and they agreed. As Paul begins his ministry he quickly finds his destiny, speaking to Jews and Gentiles alike. Though the Jewish Christians accepted the salvation of the Gentiles they had this thought that the Gentiles should be like them in customs, in particular they felt the Gentiles should be circumcised. This was a challenge for the Gentiles and Paul. Why is it that outwardly they had to be the same when the change is inward? Thus in a discussion with the church Paul points out, “He (God) made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their heart by faith.”
Missionaries from America have suffered the mistake of trying to make Christians of all nations look like American Christians until one day they realized they would express their faith in different ways as they read the Word of God. This is okay. On a smaller level, we want people to act like us, who are faithful, God fearing people. When they don’t we fail to understand and often condemn them. We condemn those that follow God and those that don’t, when we should embrace all people, “For God so loved the world.”
Prayer: Forgive me Lord when I pick and choose who can and cannot possibly enter your kingdom. Lord, may I be willing to approach anyone and make no assumption and no distinction, for You show no favoritism, but accept men from every nation and every neighborhood who fear You and do what is right.
Created over 2 years ago
