Devotion:
Read Acts 10:44-48.
Being obedient to a vision God had given him, a Roman centurion and Gentile (non-Jew) named Cornelius sends messengers to Peter in Joppa asking him to come to Caesarea. When he arrives, Cornelius has assembled his entire household to hear what the Lord would have Peter speak to them.
Just as Peter begins to explain about Jesus being the Son of God who was crucified and rose again, and that “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (vs. 43), something astonishing happens. “The Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word” (vs. 44).
Peter is still thinking as a Jewish Christian, the only kind of Christian he knows. He seems to have low expectations in preaching to this Gentile audience. He is astounded, along with the other Jewish believers who have come with him, that the Holy Spirit would move so dramatically and quickly among these “unclean Gentiles.”
When God acts, there is no distinguishing between Jew or Gentile, insiders and outsiders. When we allow the Holy Spirit to eliminate divisions between “us” and “other,” we can see grace poured out. Let’s work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit as we reach out to all people.
Personal Worship Option:
Pray today that the Holy Spirit will guide you to be a positive Christian influence to someone different from you this week.
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