PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 11:1-18
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18)
These righteous believers are concerned that Peter is associating with unholy people.
They are not ‘good christians’, they do not measure up to God’s expectations.
Does God no longer demand strict obedience, does obeying the Law not matter anymore?
“We have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” (Romans 7:6)
This way that leads to life involves humble surrender to Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
Humble repentance, admitting our brokenness and need for mercy and help.
Humble confidence, believing in Jesus as Saviour, confident in his mercy.
Humble obedience, committing to live by the Spirit according to the Law of Love.
This is what we should look for as evidence of the the Spirit at work in others.
New converts will not measure up to “the old way of the written code.”
But their journey has just begun, and the Lord will work out their salvation with them.
Stop limiting the work of the Spirit, who is granting them repentance that leads to life.
“Who am I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:18)
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for expecting more from others than you expect of me. Help me to trust that having begun this good work in them you will see it through to completion.
Convinced – the proofs are there: “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” When it comes to any choices or even in the face of uncertainty – re: how to accept someone who has a bad track record (in our judgement) – I look for evidence – for proof – for fruit. My Muslim friend Abdus has lots of proof – of good fruit – I pray that he may receive the HS too so that he too may find Jesus as more than a prophet! But God in his mercy makes it possible through Jesus to grant repentance that leads to life to all. Lord help me to live a life of living proof!
The Spirit at work. Our God is the God for all His people, red and yellow, black and white – Jew and Gentile. All are precious in His sight. His Spirit is at work and that work has no limitations, no boundaries. no borders. This is my Father’s world and His work continues to amaze me. He continues to restore His creation and will bring it to completion.
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow, black and white
They are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world