Do Not Judge by the Outward Appearance -JUDGING BY RACE OR ETHNICITY

Imagine the thoughts that were going through the apostle Peter's mind when he was called to Caesarea to the home of the Gentile Cornelius.  (Acts 10:17-29)  Like other Jews of his time, Peter grew up believing that the Gentiles were unclean.  Yet, Peter had experienced events that caused him to reevaluate that position.,  For example, Peter had just had a miraculous vision.  (Acts 10:9-16)  What had Peter seen?  A sheetlike vessel filled with unclean animals was lowered before him while a heavenly voice ordered "Get up Peter, slaughter and eat!"  Peter firmly refused.  Than that heavenly voice told him to "stop calling defiled the things God has cleansed.  As he awoke from the vision, Peter was perplexed  as to what he voice was trying to tell him.  Just then, the messengers from Cornelius arrived.  After receiving direction from the holy spirit, Peter pressed forward and accompanied the messengers to the home of Cornelius.

If Peter had judged matters solely on outward appearance, he would never have entered the home of Cornelius.  Jews simply did not enter the homes of Gentiles.  Why did Peter move forward despite deep-seated prejudges?  Peter was profoundly affected by the vision he had seen and by the reassurance he received from the holy spirit.  After he listened to what Cornelius related, Peter, no doubt moved by the account, declared under inspiration:  "Now I truly understand that God is not partial, but in every nations the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him." (Acts 10:34, 35)  What a thrilling new understanding for Peter-one with far-reaching implications!  How would this truth about being impartial affect all Christians?

By means of Peter, Jehovah was helping Christians to understand that He is not partial.  He places no significance on racial, ethnic, tribal, or linguistic differences. Any man or woman who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.  (Galatians 3:26-28; Revelation 7:9, 10) No doubt, you acknowledge that this is true.  But what if you have grown up in a land or in a home filled with prejudice?  While you might see yourself as being impartial, deep inside, prejudice many linger.  Even Peter, who had the privilege of revealing Jehovah's impartiality, later manifested prejudice.  (Galatians 2:11-14)  How can we listen to Jesus and stop judging by the outward appearance?

Next time: Do Not Judge by the Outward Appearance - JUDGING BY RACE OR ETHNICITY

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