Where Faith Meets Trials

You ever have those times where you thought you did something right but later, as you were surrounded by a group of friends, what you did was wrong? How was I supposed to know that crayons in the microwave was a bad idea, right?

Well, I was reading Acts 11 (on 11.11.11 which is pretty rad) this morning and came across this same kind of situation. Peter had just finished hanging out with this group of people called Gentiles who were always viewed as unclean and common. Basically, they were the outcasts of their time. What’s so shocking about Acts is God’s grace is extended to the Gentiles, which was thought to never happen. But when it does, people freak out! By people, I mean the people who claimed to be the sons of Abraham. They thought the covenant of blessing was for them only. But now the Gentiles are included in this and they lose it.

But getting back to Peter, once he comes back from hanging out with the Gentiles, preaching the Gospel to them and having some laughs, a group of these people who had been following the law and never thought the covenant would extend to the Gentiles surround Peter. I can see their conversation going something like:

“Peter! Dude. You were hanging out with Gentiles? What the..bro! Like, what?!”

Peter: Uh. Clearly you didn’t eat your cheerios this morning so let me explain what happened.

Peter goes on to talk about this vision he had that ultimately led him to Cornelius’ house in Caesara where, being filled with the Holy Spirit, he began to speak the Gospel. And, as always that happens when people preach the Gospel, people believed. The Holy Spirit was poured out on them. Sins were forgiven. Lives changed. Scars healed.

Yet, these guys getting at Peter were angry. So, here’s what I’m getting at: how many people have you looked at, thinking they weren’t worthy of Jesus? If you read Acts 10 and 11, you’ll clearly see that the Gospel is for everyone. Not just you. Not just your mom. Not just your neighbor who plays Call of Duty with you. It’s for everyone.

Christ died on the cross to pay for everyone’s sins, not just a select group. Who are you to try and stand in God’s way of pouring out His love, mercy and grace on someone?

If we claim the name of Christ, it’s our duty to preach this Gospel. To make it known. To all. To the misfits. The jocks. The shy. The outcasts. The popular crowd. The broken.

Something to think about.