Contemplative Bible Reading

Acts 10:34-35 (New International Version 2010)

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

Peter is speaking to Cornelius and his family. Also present are some Jews who believed that Jesus was the Christ. Peter delivers a simple message:

God accepts the person who fears God and does what is right

In this situation, in this context, Peter is emphasizing God’s acceptance of a person regardless of ancestry. Cornelius is a Roman, not a Jew. That doesn’t bother God in the least. Cornelius is an officer in an army that is occupying the land of the Jews. That also doesn’t bother God in the least.

The only things that matter to God are accepting Him as God and doing what is right by God.

Notice something about Peter and the other Jews who came with Peter. They live close to Cornelius. In today’s slang, Cornelius is “in their face.” It is easy for me to accept people who live in Africa, India, China, and other far-away places as fellow followers of Christ. It is another thing to accept people with black, brown, or tan skin who live in my town as fellow followers of Christ. I mean, surely they would be happier attending a church with people of their own kind, people who share a culture with them. Right? ooops. And then there are people who are poor and live in subsidized housing near me. Those people would “fit in” better  with their own kind and, well, you know? Right? oooops.

God accepts the person who fears God and does what is right. Peter and his friends accepted a Gentile who was occupying their homeland. I have a lofty goal to attempt. I am glad that God has presented me with such examples and such clear instruction.