September 12, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

“God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them.” (Acts 15:8-9)

The early church, being Jews who had developed a culture of exclusivity, took some time to realize God accepts the Gentiles just as He does them. Sadly, today, as then, some still misunderstand the word “elect” as referring only to a chosen few whom He decides to bless. Of course they believe they're included in that group. Eventually, though, Peter, Paul and the first Christians came to realize the Lord does not play favorites. There is no distinction to Him between Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, rich or poor. And He makes the sun to shine and the rain to fall on good and evil people. Of course we accept the unchurched with the intention of making God known to them.

Let us heed what one song, speaking of voices and forces in the world, says, "They come, they come, to build a wall between us ... don't let them win." Our mission is reconciliation, not division.