Daily Devotion, May 23, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 11:1-18.

Have you ever been absolutely sure you are right about something? You know you are right. Nothing could change your mind. But then something happens that you did not expect, and you find out that you were wrong. The early Christians had some wrong thinking, and God needed to help them make some changes.

The early believers thought that Jesus meant for them to go and preach to Jews who were scattered all over the world. The thought of preaching the gospel to pagan Gentiles without them first becoming religious Jews was simply unthinkable.

When Peter brought the news of Cornelius’s conversion back to Jerusalem, the believers were shocked that Peter had entered the home of a Gentile and eaten with him.

Peter’s defense for eating with Gentiles was a simple restatement of what had happened. He brought six witnesses with him to back him up, and then he quoted Jesus’ promise about the coming of the Holy Spirit. These Gentiles’ lives had been changed, and that was all the evidence Peter and the other believers needed. Changed lives are an equally powerful evidence of God’s work in people’s lives today.

We can draw lessons from this passage both as a church, and also as individuals on how we can help break down the barriers that can divide people. And Jesus is the example that we follow. It comes down simply to one command, and that is to love people, the way God loves us. If we are committed to living this way, not only will it prevent barriers being erected in the first place, but it will help break down those we find, just as God has broken down the barriers that once separated us from him.

Personal Worship Option:

Ask God to reveal any wrong thinking that you might have or any barriers you may have or any barriers you may have erected. Then ask God to show you ways to love the way he loves.