Opening his mouth, Peter said: “Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God’s blessing], but in every nation the person who fears God and does what is right [by seeking Him] is acceptable and welcomed by Him. Acts 10:34-35 AMP
We all have those people in our life that inspire us. We listen to their podcasts, we read their books, we join their Bible study; we attend their church. Online, we call it following and that’s exactly what it is. We like what they have to say and we’re able to learn from them, so we follow them. Sometimes we walk the line of being intimidated by them. We might even go through a season where we think that God loves them more.
I’ve heard people say that they just need to be around a specific person, and they’ll walk away with some of their good fortune. If they just spend a bit of time in their presence, they will suddenly have God’s favor manifest in their life. Most of us recognize this as hot garbage, but there are times that I wonder if there’s any truth to it.
What about the handkerchiefs and aprons that Paul touched being used to heal the sick (Acts 19:11-12)? What about Rahab? She was a Canaanite woman living in a city full of pagans that were about to personally know God’s wrath. But because of her faith, she and her household were spared the destruction of Jericho (Joshua 2:10-14, Joshua 6:25). She had contact with the spies, she expressed her belief in God, they made a promise to her, and she and her family became intertwined with the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Kind of like us. And we can’t forget Peter – didn’t people get healed just by his shadow touching them when he walked by (Acts 5:15-16)?
When Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, I wonder if others looked up to him and had a bit of spiritual jealousy. Did they feel a bit inferior to him because he went from being a regular fisherman to having a new identity and purpose in growing the church? The same guy that started to sink while walking out to Jesus on the water is known as the guy who was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:13-19).
I used to have a bit of spiritual jealousy when it came to Peter. I used to think he knew everything – he certainly knew a great deal and had a tight walk with God (a few of those steps being on water – that would be so cool!), but even he needed fresh revelations from time to time. In the scripture above, the fact that Peter said I understand now – as though he was having a lightbulb moment – is extremely encouraging to me.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wish for anyone to struggle in their faith, but I really appreciate that this was a new revelation and that he shared it as something he was coming to finally recognize. This verse means that God will do for you what He’s done for others. This means that He loves me the same as He loves Mother Theresa. The same as Billy Graham. Jesus loves me the same as He loves His disciples. He even loves me the same as He loves His earthly mama!
If that wasn’t enough, we have peace with God – I’m not sure we really understand what those five words mean. Take a look at Deuteronomy 28:15-68 to get a pretty detailed picture of what not having peace with God looks like. No one wants that! But because we have peace with God through Jesus’ sacrifice, that picture is not to be our reality. What is our reality? For that, it’s a pleasant and exciting read in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. That’s what everyone wants!
We have peace with God. All because of Jesus. We’re intimately known by our Creator, our Savior, our King. And if He’s made a promise, it’s a promise to each of us – followed with a resounding yes! It doesn’t matter if we’re Jew or Gentile, Republican or Democrat, black or white, male or female, Protestant or Catholic (shall I go on?) – God loves us! You might live a mostly holy life, or you might be the most sinful of all sinners – God loves you!
For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. I Corinthians 1:20 NASB
Peter denied Jesus three times out of fear for his life (Matthew 26:69-75). He’s also the disciple who fell into such a deep sleep while sitting shackled between two guards that an angel had to strike him to wake him up (Acts 12:5-17). He had to be poked awake because he was at peace with whatever happened to him! Rahab and her family were the outsiders, living amongst those who were God’s chosen people. She recognized that the Israelite’s God was the one, true God, and her proclamation of faith saved her family – and she became the great-grandmother of King David (Matthew 1:5-6) and the great-x-30-grandma of Jesus (Matthew 1:5-16).
We all have a story, a moment in the past (or our entire past), that we’re not too proud of – but so did Peter and so did Rahab. She was a liar and a prostitute! Yet God saw fit to use them both as well as countless others across history. I don’t want to suffer from spiritual envy – there’s no reason for it! Jesus stands and knocks at the door of each of our hearts (Revelation 3:20) – without discrimination. And if we choose to open the door to Him, He will come in – without focusing on the complete disaster of our living space – and let us get to know Him.
I follow a pastor who says that right living doesn’t lead to right believing, but right believing leads to right living. People who seek God will do what is right out of relationship with Him (Acts 10:35). As I seek Him, I will find Him (Matthew 7:7-12). I’ll be able to proclaim the truth as Rahab did – that He is the Most High God, I’ll be able to sleep soundly even when facing death, and I’ll be able to rejoice with others as they experience the goodness of God in the land of the living.
I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 AMP
Who do you follow?