Politics and Religion. It is said above all other topics, avoid these the most with first time guests. Actually, it’s best to avoid it altogether in public circles, especially at work. People’s views on them are strong, flavored and full of opinion, and ready for a debate the minute you bring it up. It aims at the core of the person, a reflection of what they believe their ideals are and, therefore, why they have affixed themselves to it. In the end, many times friends become opponents, sides form, alliances are revealed, and the contest commences to find out whose side is more justified.
To be honest though, if we could render both of these topics irrelevant, completely null and void, would we then be free from the contest, the battle of the sides? I firmly believe we wouldn’t. Our human battle, our struggle with self, is to always feel a part of group, never standing alone, and being ready to defend your position if someone challenges you. We have an identity to preserve. Even if it wasn’t politics and religion, we’d have something else to take its place. Our identity is our rock and making favorites is our speciality. This is at the head of forming prejudices.
How often do we allow our prejudices to create favorites and, consequently, exclude others? You know it doesn’t have to be a big thing like politics or religion. It’s usually the smallest things, like that person is just different, that keep me from interacting with them. Interestingly enough, I actually find it most enjoyable to talk with people who are opposite my way of thinking, but not with those who are just simply different. In the time of the early Church, Jews felt they were superior over the Gentiles. Gentiles knew that Jews didn’t want to spend time with them and likewise didn’t want the company of them either. They were very different people groups. Michigan and State. Rivals. You’re either a fan of one or the other.
After Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, he appeared again to his followers many more times. His angels also appeared at specific times. But it usually happened to His followers, those in His flock. However, in Acts 10, something special happened to a man named Cornelius. He was known as the Italian Regiment, his family was God-fearing, he gave to the needy, and he prayed to God regularly. In the midst of one of his prayers, a bright light appeared in the room and there he saw an angel of the Lord. The angel showed Cornelius favor and instructed him to send a message after Simon Peter. When Peter came four days later, Peter immediately knew something was different about this meeting. Cornelius was very different. He was a Gentile. When Cornelius shared with Peter how the angel came to him and instructed him to call for Peter, Peter learned something completely new that day. God is not only a God of justice, but he’s also a God that knows no favoritism. God’s plan was for Peter to share the gospel with Cornelius and his family, a Gentile family.
Despite what I may think I know about other people, I pray that my “feeling” is nullified and I will rather put on Christ and His vision of what people look like to Him. May I show grace to all, forgiveness to all, love to all, and rid myself of the things that desire conflict over those meaningless things.
23b The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
Acts 10:23b-33
30 days!
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