Acts 15:13-19
James broke the silence. “Friends,
listen. Simeon has told us the story of how God at the very outset made
sure that racial outsiders were included. This is in perfect agreement
with the words of the prophets:
After this, I’m coming back;
I’ll rebuild David’s ruined house;
I’ll put all the pieces together again;
I’ll make it look like new
So outsiders who seek will find,
so they’ll have a place to come to,
All the pagan peoples
included in what I’m doing.
“God
said it and now he’s doing it. It’s no afterthought; he’s always known
he would do this. So here is my decision: We’re not going to
unnecessarily burden non-Jewish people who turn to the Master.”
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
At VBS one night, I asked the
pre-schoolers, “Where is Jesus? Can we see Him?” No, they
answered…Jesus is in Heaven. The children had heard the story from the
Gospels about the disciples who were in a boat when a storm came, and
Jesus stilled the seas and told them to “Be calm.” They knew that THESE
men actually SAW Jesus. I explained that while WE don’t physically SEE
Him…Jesus lives in our hearts and is always with us.
Our nephew,
Nathan, was sitting in my lap during one session when I explained this,
and he turned to me and asked, “But where is Granny?” “Granny is in
Heaven,” I answered quietly, patting his leg to comfort him. “But is
Granny in our hearts, too?” he continued. I was stopped in my tracks.
“Yes, sweetie…Granny is always with us in our hearts, too.”
This
almost-four-year-old little boy was able to make the leap from the
concept of Jesus, Who is in Heaven, living in our hearts…to the idea
that my mother – his great-grandmother – must be with us, too, since she
resides in Heaven, as well. So why would it be a stretch for us to
understand the full meaning – and inclusion – of this scripture
passage? If scripture clearly tells us that believers of all races are
welcome in the Kingdom of Heaven, how can we exclude anyone in any
manner? If God’s love is offered to everyone, who are we to
discriminate against, segregate, and denigrate any group of people – for
any reason?
There are too many of us claiming the name of Jesus
while disparaging others…and we apparently don’t grasp the irony – and
disobedience – in our words and actions. If our behavior toward a
single one of God’s children is questionable to even one other person,
we have totally negated our Christian witness. I cannot state this any
plainer. What we say and do matters. And God’s word – and His love -
are available for everyone. If you do not agree with this, then I
pray that you will get out your Bible, fall to your knees and ask God
to reveal His true desires to you.
Are you a Christian disciple
who carries Jesus in your heart at all times and shares His love with
everyone else? Do you live in a way that demonstrates God’s love and acceptance for all others
– and by default, your own, as well? Or do you pick and choose which
groups of people “deserve” your attention, care and concern…and the
“right” to belong to certain circles – even the family of believers? Are
you ready to fully surrender to God and love as He has commanded…to
serve Him wholeheartedly and embrace ALL people?
We have to get
this right. God is calling on us to be obedient witnesses…and we don’t
have a minute to waste! Are you ready to go the second mile with God?
Will this be the day that you begin?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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