Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Disciplined Faith--Part III

Acts 10:17-23—While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Here is where we see Peter make sense of his recent vision.  God instructed Peter to disregard the ancient Jewish law that would have prevented Peter from eating with Gentiles.  Within moments of receiving the vision, and before Peter even had time to fully process it, he was called to follow God’s instructions.  With reckless abandon, Peter heeded the call. The strangers who knocked on his door were not Jewish, and they were summoning Peter on behalf of the centurion, Cornelius.  Never before had Peter fellowshipped with Gentiles—it must have been a shock to his very being to rebel against this Jewish law he had followed his entire life.  Yet, the moment God told him to open his heart to the Gentiles, Peter willingly obeyed by inviting these men into his house as guests.


Today as you pray and meditate on His Word, open your Heart to God’s call.  Take a moment to listen to the song “Live Like That” by Sidewalk Prophets and let that be your prayer.  Ask God to give you the courage to live like that, with reckless abandon following Him no matter what anyone in this world thinks about it, and full of peace knowing your Savior takes delight in your devotion.  

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