People Unlike You

Reaching To People Unlike You

Acts 11: 1-18 ‘….You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them…’

By Kurai Chitima 

Peter caused a stir among Jews by visiting Cornelius. He did an illegal thing. Not every legal thing is right. You still need to choose on basis of biblical morality. Peter transgressed the traditions of the elders. Following Christ can set you on a collision course with the traditions of your family, your clan, your peers, etc.  Peter not only associated with Gentiles, but went into their house, stayed there and ate with them. This was a grave offense (Luke 15:2). Peter recounted the story of Cornelius (Acts 11:4-14) and there were no further objections that day (Acts 11:17, 18), but the issue does resurface many times in future (Galatians 2:12). God selected you to benefit other people including those who are unlike you.  The Gospel is also for people unlike you. The Christian Jews were struggling to accept this concept. They were New Testament in spirit but Old Testament in thinking (Rom 12:2).

Going beyond treating well people you are comfortable with, is a true test of the God kind of love, which is unconditional. What is your attitude to people of different views, background, nationality, culture, personality, life style, language, character, social status, age, place, gender, race, interests, profession, and ideological persuasion? As Christ’s witness, you reach out to several of these. God in Christ cleans all the unclean (Acts 11:9). The love of Christ neutralizes all barriers (John 3:16). It dissolved the eternal barrier that existed between God and humanity. A major value God put on earth is dynamism and diversity. Sameness is the formula for stagnation and poverty of ideas and resources. God’s selection of an individual, a few or a nation is for a purpose.

God’s selection. God selected the Jews (Gen 12:1-11) to bring the messiah our lord Jesus through them. Nevertheless, he did not exclude the rest of humanity.  In fact, some Old Testament gentiles were a part of the ancestry of Christ. God has now selected everyone else in Christ (Eph 1:3-13). You as a believer in Christ are on God’s side (Psalm 103:1-5). This makes you different but not exclusive.

God’s intention. Divine selection is for a reason.  God’s missionary heart reaches out to whosoever believes. The nation of Israel was raised to be a blessing to the rest (Gen 12:2). God's intention was to include all peoples (Gen 1:28).  God’s intention in building his church (in saving you) is also to be a blessing to all people groups( Gal3:27 -29; Mat 28:18-20, Mark 16:13-19, Acts 1:8, Rev 7:9).

God’s expectation. God expects his chosen people to express the Christian message into forms and languages all people can hear and understand. We should let all types of people know that Jesus paid it all. Jesus is Lord of all (1 Cor 1:23). They can receive mercy and grace right now. They do not have to remain the same. There is no reason to remain in bondage. There is no reason to languish in poverty, there is no reason to suffer in sickness, carry offense, and continue in sin. Faith Ministries JFLC is expecting God to bring many people. They will largely be previously unknown and diverse in their cultural backgrounds. Will they feel welcome? By God’s grace, they will feel welcome. We look out for opportunities to reach out to them.