Scripture:
Acts 13:42
So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
Acts 13:47-48
For so the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Observation:
"The forgiveness of sins, by Jesus everyone who believes is justified from all the things which you could not be justified by the law of Moses" v39
Forgiveness of sins, being made right with God in a way that works! Not by my effort, by which I continually fail no matter how hard I try - theres a way for Me!? Now that's good news! That's great news! (for all who are looking for it).
Good news to those who sought it the most, good news that included the precept that there is no longer Jew nor Gentile, Slave or Free, Single Parent or Couple, ..... God sees us as the same in Christ! God has a plan for me, whatever I may look like in my own eyes or the eyes of the World! I say give me that good news, show me that good news, be that good news to me.
Application:
There's a world of Gentiles out there, in our own community. People who think there is a them and us situation, a divide that is near impossible to cross. There's the church people, and theres me (I don't have a stable family, God couldn't love me, I'm not good enough, it's all too hard!). These people think it's about what you do, when that's got nothing to do with the grace of God, ... it's no different to the times reflect4ed in these bible passages in Acts with the times of Paul, Peter, and any of the other followers of Jesus.
The question is, How can we break that perception? How can we cross over and break the 'club' mentality that fosters the us and tem mindset that is in the community and often within the church also. How can both sides come together and see that God has a bigger more inclusive picture!?
How can we show compassion, love generosity? How can we be more of the Good News without the strings attached, to the marginalised, hopeless, desperate, rejected, despised, ... and all of htese attitudes that are often more from within themselves and ourselves than is actually the truth!?
Prayer:Lord, open the doors of my heart, open my eyes and open my hands, so that I can be a greater expression of the Good News in everything I do as well as what I say. So I also ask that when Iopen my mouth that the declaration of You will be Truth and Life to the listener and Good News, Great News, Life Transforming News would be spread like wild fire in Jesus Name. All Glory and Honour to You our God who reigns. Amen.
