Acts 11:18 (NIV)
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."
This is
an interesting text. Peter had to be convinced by God to share the Good News of
Jesus with more than just the Jewish people. Jesus wanted even the
Gentiles to know him. Surely Peter witnessed Jesus talking to the
Gentiles. Why was he so
hesitant to do the same?
This
passage points to the humanness of Peter. He planned on sharing his treasure
with those who were like him. He could not believe God would want everyone,
even those Gentiles, to come to believe.
Let's
face it; we have a lot in common with Peter. It is much easier to share
our faith with people who already possess similar backgrounds. It is simpler
and less threatening to tell friends and neighbors, who already understand we
go to church, about Jesus. But there is no way we could share our faith
with a person we are unfamiliar with, someone who is different.
It
seems we make things too difficult. First we must love someone. This
means we enter their lives on some level, build a relationship, and become a
friend. I must get over myself. Why am I afraid to step outside this
comfort zone I constructed? There is no adventure or excitement here?
The way to experience life is to share it with someone we don't yet know.
"Men
always talk about the most important things to perfect strangers. In the
perfect stranger we perceive man himself: the image of a God is not disguised
by resemblances to an uncle or doubts of wisdom of a mustache." G.
K. Chesteron
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