Bible Reading: Job 20, 21; Acts 10:25-48.
Memory Verse: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:” Acts 10:34 (KJV).
The Jews, before the conversion of Paul, believed in their supremacy over other tribes particularly Gentiles. Apostle Peter himself said this much in Acts 10:28 (KJV), “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” But God changed that wrongly held belief. It is noteworthy that this erroneous belief were held by the Apostles even while Jesus was with them. The statement credited to Peter in Acts 10:28 was made after the death of Jesus! This implies that though people go to church regularly, they may not change their non-Christlike culture.
Peter changed his view after he had an encounter with the Holy Spirit when he was told not to discriminate among people (Acts 10:28). So it is important for each person to check himself/herself whether you are bearing fruit of the Holy Spirit. That is what can truly confirm whether you are living a life pleasing unto God. The first part of the fruit is love as stated in Galatians 5:22. When you love your neighbour, you will value him or her and take him as your brother. This is why Jesus says in Mark 12:31 (KJV), “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself…” There is none other commandment greater than these.
When you love your neighbour, you will respect him/her because you will see the image of God in such a person as enunciated in Genesis 1:27 (KJV), “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” God sees his image in every human creature and that’s why he sees us as the same irrespective of class whether Jews or Gentiles (1 Corinthians 12:13). This was revealed to Peter and he acknowledged same when he said in Acts 10:34 (KJV), “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:”
Brethren, to be a true Christian we need to treat all human beings with respect seeing the image of God in them irrespective of their background!
Prayer Point: Father, give me the grace to treat all human beings with respect irrespective of their class or background.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero