Seeing How God Sees

Peter had a vision where God revealed to him, his will concerning the Gentile people. Until that time, the Jews believed that they were God’s chosen people and the only ones with the right and access to salvation. God needed Peter to minister to a group of people from another nation. An angel appeared to Cornelius and told him to send for Peter to meet with him. He sent two of his servants and while they were on the way Peter had a vision. “In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat”” (Acts 10:12-13).

Peter was mortified as the Jews were selective about what they ate. Peter objected to eating anything that was considered common or unclean. The response from the Lord was, “What God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts 10:15). This happened three times until the vision ended. While Peter sat considering what the vision meant, the men arrived from Cornelius. The Holy Spirit revealed to Peter that the men were looking for him. Peter was instructed to accompany them without hesitation. He accompanied the men and met with Cornelius and a group of Gentiles and ministered to them, about the message of salvation.

While Peter ministered, the Gentiles were filled with the Holy Spirit and were then baptised. The Jews who visited the Gentiles with Peter were amazed, that they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter’s conclusion was that God is no respecter of persons and does not show partiality. Human beings show reverence and pay special respect and recognition, to people that we perceive as being deserving. Our time and attention is given to people we consider to be of substance and worth.

As children of God, if we are walking in the spirit, there are times when God will ask us to reach out to someone outside of the ordinary. There are people who we would not have otherwise spent time with, but God may lay it on our hearts to spend time ministering to that person. We look at the outward appearance, but God examines the heart and only God knows what is going on inside of a person. Some people who we have given up on, are on Gods list of chosen people. When God speaks, we listen and obey and act according to his leading.

A.P.-Y.