02/01/2023
Are we unacceptable to God? If we live amongst sinners, or in places where false gods are served, are we precluded from knowing Jesus Christ, and the God of Abraham? Do we feel excluded or lost, and do those around us tell us it is so? Well it is not so, and Peter taught this truth to the Gentiles. Though many Jews sought to exclude them from the worship of God, Peter taught otherwise. He told us that God knows no partiality, and if we fear the Lord, and do what is right, we are acceptable to Him. Are those who once believed and behaved in ways contrary to what is right before the Lord prepared to fear the one true God, and do those things He deems right? If so, then rest assured you are acceptable to Him, and worthy of receiving life in Christ.
“So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
Acts 10:34-35 ESV
If we fear God and pursue those things that are right in His eyes we are worthy, and the Holy Spirit will be poured out on us. There are none in the world, not Jew, nor Gentile, who cannot receive Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, if they will only fear the Lord, and do those things that are right. Peter taught this truth to the lost, and he taught it to the Jews who believed as well. He taught it to those who felt unworthy and beyond God’s mercy, and he taught it to those who had been taught that God only loved them.
“While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.”
Acts 10:44-45 ESV
Peter told the Jews who believed in Jesus that those Gentiles who were given evidence of the Holy Spirit were no different than themselves, and worthy of water baptism. This was contrary to what they once believed before the coming of Christ, and a hard lesson for these people who had once hoarded God to themselves alone.
““Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.”
Acts 10:47-48 ESV
This was a new day, a new covenant, and the walls of the temple were torn down so that God became accessible to all men who believed… regardless of their race, or nation. In Jesus we were all redeemed, and purchased at great cost… it was God’s intention that none be lost.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
So who are we today? Are we Jew, Gentile, Asian, African, American, European, or one of many other nations and people? Well regardless of who we are at this moment, we can choose to fear God, and do what His Word says is right, and be acceptable to Him. We can hear the gospel of Jesus, and be called to God through Him. So in this way the question is no longer “Can we come to believe?”, but “Will we come to believe?”
What is our answer to this question? What have we once felt was a wall, or a veil, that kept us from approaching God which we now find has not been torn down by Jesus Christ to give us access to God and the Holy of Holies?
“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;”
Matthew 27:51 KJV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving the world so much that you sent your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us. Thank you for revealing to us that our bodies are the temple of your Holy Spirit, and that this is true of Jew and Gentile alike. Thank you for sending Jesus to abide in us, and we in Him, whatever our nationality, or race… whatever our station in life. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has removed the walls that have separated us from one another, and from you. Praised be your name for calling us to Christ regardless of who, or where we are. Merciful are you in whom we find peace and rest from the world, and joy in your Son Jesus. Your grace is sufficient for us, and knows no bounds. Mighty is your Word that teaches us right, and powerful the faith that leads us to believe in and fear you. Wash us each in the blood of Jesus, and cleanse us of our sin. Transform us into the image of Christ, and judge us not as children of the world, but as your children. On our day of judgement separate us only by our righteousness, and not by what was once used to separate us in the world. When you look at us Father see only Christ, and pronounce us eternally worthy in Him. Hear in that moment the song and praise of our hearts and souls as we join with the heavenly choir to worship you forevermore.
Rich Forbes