Loving in a Divided Culture
Acts 10:9-15, 22-23, 28-29a, 34-36
As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are probably like me and see yourself as unbiased and respectful of others. Try this test. Think about your community and how diverse it has become. Now consider your congregation. Does it reflect your community, or does everyone look the same, work the same jobs, behave the same way, and hold the same ideas?
Here’s another test. When was the last time you shared your faith or demonstrated an act of love to someone:
– Of a different race?
– Who is Muslim?
– Who cusses?
– Who doesn’t dress, talk, or think like you?
– Who is a liberal Democrat?
– Gay?
Peter was challenged to step outside his comfort zone. Although God challenged Jewish food laws (vv. 9-16), God was interested in something far more important than Peter’s diet: “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean” (v. 28).
God called Peter and us to carry His mission (Matthew 28:19-20) to every people group, even those whom we view as unclean. Some interpret the four corners of the sheet Peter saw as representing the ends of the earth. The two terms Peter used in verse 14 also broaden our perspective about global mission. “Impure” refers to something defiled by association like a Jewish Christian associating with Gentiles. “Unclean” refers to something inherently impure like Cornelius, a Gentile.
God linked Jewish culinary laws and Jewish separation from other nations because Peter had to understand that he was to do more than tell Gentiles the gospel. Peter, and we, must “break bread together.” We are not called to embrace sinful ways, but God demands that we spend time with people different from us and be earnest in building genuine relationships.
It is easy to look at the diversity around us and say, “They have their own churches and ways of worship.” Researchers say that 70 percent of South Carolina residents have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In counties like Beaufort, Charleston, and Horry, the number goes as high as 90 percent. God calls us to demonstrate His love to the majority of the people around us who are not part of the church and have no worship practice. Do not call any person common or unclean.
Scudder– Lessons in the BSL series for the winter quarter are being written by Steve Scudder, former DOM for Savannah River Association.