FRIDAY May 26, 2023
God’s Will Made Known
“And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.”
Acts 11:7-12
Peter continued to establish what was shown to him by God, as he shared with Christian Jews who were still very legalistic. They were contending with him because he had associated with Gentiles. They thought, as circumcised Jews, they were set apart for God, and the Gentiles were not. After all, they were God’s special people––a spiritual people far above anyone else. The Gentiles were viewed as common––unclean.
That is why the Jewish brethren did not understand what was happening. Why did Peter break away from Jewish tradition? These men needed to be ministered to in the same way the Lord had to minister to Peter. The Gentiles were no longer to be viewed as unclean or common. In fact, the Jews needed to understand that God’s salvation had become available to the Gentiles and to see their need to completely break away from their vain traditions, to fully embrace the love, mercy, and grace of God.
God’s will was made known to Peter through a vision. He told the brethren how he was directed and led by the Holy Spirit to break Jewish tradition, to go with three Gentile men who had requested an audience at Cornelius’ house in Caesarea.
Again, so many people place their trust in manmade traditions in hopes of salvation. It is useless to place your trust in any of these traditions for salvation. It is only by the grace of God that we are saved. When you have the grace of God, you have the peace of God.
The Christian life starts with grace, it must continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace wondrous grace....
~Martyn Lloyd-Jones~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
