Following the God Who TransformsSample
Read: Acts 10:34–38
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached — 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”
The God Who Bridges the Divide
Peter spent three years with Jesus, saw him befriend the Samaritan woman at the well, heard the parable of the Good Samaritan, and witnessed the healing of the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter. He knew the Hebrew Scriptures, which proclaimed God’s special concern for the foreigner, but he somehow failed to connect the dots. Like many people of his day (and ours) he assumed that God loved his people more than others.
It took an angelic vision to open his eyes to the truth: God loves all people and wants us to do the same. Abandoning our prejudices is a good start, but pursuing racial justice and reconciliation goes much deeper. Centuries of legalized inequality have embedded unjust patterns in our governmental structures, economic and cultural institutions, and even our churches. If Jesus is Lord, all of this must change. This can and will happen, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ask God to open your eyes to racial injustice in your own life and in your community. Invite him to grow in you the fruit of repentance. Look for ways to broaden and deepen your circle of relationships with those from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Cherish the beauty of God’s people who are being gathered from every nation, tribe, people and language.
Prayer
Loving Father, you accept from every nation those who fear you and do what is right. Help me to do the same. Heal the wounds of racial injustice; reconcile your divided people, and let it begin with me.
Today's audio was narrated by Lisa Treviño Cummins: President and Founder, Urban Strategies.
Scripture
About this Plan
Longing to be refreshed by the character of God? Get started with this 10-day devotional from the National Association of Evangelicals. Following the God Who Transforms is designed to encourage and refresh believers in who God is and his heart for our nation and world. Grounded in Scripture, this will give you an imagination for a public discipleship that is oriented towards God’s character.
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