We abide in the shelter of God’s agape love!

While we may not be called to the ends of the earth, we are all commissioned to share the Good News of Jesus Christ wherever we may be. And as Acts 13 illustrates, we will be blessed when we follow where the Holy Spirit leads, even in the midst of opposition, as He continues to build His beautifully diverse Church. First5

“We have to stop pretending we are individuals that can go it alone,” Margaret J Wheatley reminds us. “I believe that if we turn to one another… let go of our judgments, become curious about each other, and take the risk to begin a conversation… the world will be a better place.”
A reminder that yes, “In the shelter of each other the people live.”
And one of the gifts of connection, is that it invites us (allows us) to embrace vulnerability and tenderness—we are indeed, on this journey together. And with tenderness, a soft heart.
And I get it. Really. I do. But if we're honest, this whole soft heart routine can give us plenty of headaches. Especially in a culture that associates soft with weak or frail or compromised or wimpy. A culture where “strength” hides behind insecurity. And in that kind of world, we see only what we want to see, and we miss the profound truth: the connection between tenderness (soft heart) and courage. 

Here’s the good news; this is not a project or assignment or test. A tender heart is a gift to embrace.
And a gift to spill.
A gift that changes the world.

And when we live from tenderness, we “see” one another. Sabbath Moments

Acts 9:10-16 The hidden mystery was that in Jesus the world could be saved!

Grace. Unmerited. Undeserved.

Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

It was always the plan of God that Gentiles would be included in the salvation of Jesus Christ.  Nothing is left to chance in Him. From Adam to Abraham there was basically one Adamic race. The lineage of Adam continued in his son Seth. Only a remnant were left by the time of Noah. By the time of Abraham there was only his lineage that believed in God.  Without God in their lives, without Jesus and His work of the Cross, there was no hope.

Exodus 11:6-10 there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again. 7 But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.’ 8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will go out.” Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger. 9 But the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Israel was to be a chosen nation above all the other nations of the world. God put a difference between them and the nations of the Gentile world. The oracles of God were given to them. They were a sacred, called out, nation. 

Exodus 19:3-6 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ 

If the nation of Israel would keep the covenants of God they would be above all people. All the earth belongs to Him and He is in total control. They would be a nation set apart for Him. The 12 tribes of Israel are the Jews of the circumcised.  The rest of the world are Gentiles and the uncircumcised. 

Isaiah 42:1 

Behold! 

My Servant whom I uphold, 

My Elect One in whom My soul delights! 

I have put My Spirit upon Him; 

He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

Until the resurrection and the salvation of the Cross and the rejection of Jesus by His chosen people the mystery of salvation for the Gentiles in the name of Jesus was hidden. The mystery would be revealed to the Apostle Paul, an apostle called in God’s perfect timing. To them salvation was given, a gift from God. Faith in Jesus alone would bring them near to God in His peace. Unmerited and undeserved grace came with shouts of Peace to the world.

Isaiah 42:6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,

Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 

The Apostles became  followers of the way. They believed in their Messiah, Jesus. After the persecution and the stoning of Stephen they scattered and preached to the Jews the arrival of their King, Jesus of Nazareth. Few accepted Him.

Matthew 9:35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 

Jesus came to His own and His own knew Him not!

Acts 9:10-16 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Then Jesus selected Paul, a devout Jew,  an Apostle out of time, a persecutor of those who believed in Jesus, to  preach to the Gentiles the message of the Cross. In Jesus, the gift of God, the message of salvation by faith alone was given. Faith  in His name provided salvation to the rest of the world. John 3:16-18 Carla

Through Jesus’ words to Ananias, the significance of Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus is revealed. The street called Straight was a. major road in Damascus. Ananias is concerned; the Lord is sending him to a vicious persecutor of the church. There is irony surrounding the name of Jesus in His dialog with Ananias about Saul. Ananias objects that Saul has persecuted those who call on Jesus’ name (Acts 9:14); Jesus reveals that He has chosen and transformed Saul precisely so that he will carry that name to the Gentiles—and even suffer for it (verse 16). Faithlife Study Bible.

Not an apostle but a layman, a certain disciple … named Ananias was ready and available to be used by God. He did not know that God would send him to Saul, the man who had been vigorously persecuting the Christians. In ancient Damascus, the street called Straight went from one end of the city to the other. So far in Acts, Christians have been called “disciples,” “believers,” and those belonging to “the Way” (5:14; 6:1; 9:2). Here the word saints is used. It means those set apart by God for use in His service. The NKJV Study Bible

A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ’s feet with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any who were brought to that. Behold, the proud Pharisee, the unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessings of free salvation!  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 

Acts 20:23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 

Acts 21:39–40 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

Acts 22:3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 

Acts 25:22–23 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in.

…remembering Macrina Wiederkehr’s affirmation, “When we reach out in compassion and love to other people, we are filling the space that surrounds them—and us—with love. We are creating a space of love. We are rooting ourselves in love and hospitality.” Sabbath Moments

Romans 5:8-11 Out of God’s empathy for humankind we were offered salvation!

EPHESIANS 2:4-10 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Jesus lights the flame of the fruit of Holy Spirit, that piece of the Father, that is in every human born. Without Him it remains dormant. Without Him it is impossible to be reconciled to God. 

Galatians 5:19-26 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

The flesh when separated from the Sprit of God is left to its base, survivalist, nature. It is not under the covering of God until we are reunited with Him through Jesus.

Romans 5:8-11 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

The Lord can open our hearts to His message. It is up to us to accept it. In His love for His creation God sent Jesus, His only begotten Son, to die for our sin. He broke the bonds of sin and death on our lives. He takes our heart of stone and replaces it with His heart of love. In His mercy and love for His creation we enter into His grace in reconciliation. In Jesus, by God’s grace, we are saved and not by our works lest anyone can boast. Carla

Christ died for us the proof and revelation of God’s love for His people. We have been declared righteous in Him. By His blood refers to Christ’s death, which put the ungodly in right relationship with God. Atonement through sacrifice required blood (Hebrews 9:22). Atonement In this context, the Greek verb used here, sōzō, probably refers to deliverance from final judgment. Christ has saved people from sin now so that they can begin to live in right relationship with Him, and He will save them in the future from judgment. Paul probably has in mind both humanity’s sinful rebellion against God’s ways and God’s wrathful response to their sinful ways. The Greek word used here for reconciled, katallassō, describes bringing two hostile parties into friendly relations. 

The death of Christ was the means by which God and humanity were reconciled (Isaiah 53:10–12). Through Christ’s death, God pardoned the sinner and condemned the sin (Romans 8:3), thereby demonstrating His care and concern for sinful humanity. By His life refers to the resurrection life of the risen Christ. People are saved by their union with the risen Christ and His mediation on their behalf.  Reconciliation Indicates that Jesus has repaired the relationship between God and humankind (2 Corinthians 5:18). Faithlife Study Bible

If God loved us when we were helpless, ungodly enemies, how much more will He love us now that we are His children? By His blood … through the death of His Son we have been justified, that is “declared righteous,” and reconciled, meaning our state of alienation from God has been changed. Believers are no longer enemies of God; they are at peace with God. Many take these verses to refer to final salvation from the presence of sin. But in this context, Paul goes on to discuss being saved from the power of sin. Thus wrath here is God’s present wrath (1:18), and His life is the life of Christ in believers (verse 18). The point is that since God’s love and the death of Christ have brought us justification, then as a result of that love, we can also expect salvation from God’s wrath.  The NKJV Study Bible.

justification (Gk. dikaiōsis) (4:25; 5:18) Strong’s #1347: The Greek noun for justification is derived from the Greek verb dikaioō, meaning “to acquit” or “to declare righteous” (used by Paul in 4:2, 5; 5:1). It is a legal term used of a favorable verdict in a trial. The word depicts a courtroom setting, with God presiding as the Judge, determining the faithfulness of each person to the Law. In the first section of Romans, Paul makes it clear that no one can withstand God’s judgment (3:9–20). The Law was not given to justify sinners but to expose their sin. To remedy this deplorable situation, God sent His Son to die for our sins, in our place. When we believe in Jesus, God imputes His righteousness to us, and we are declared righteous before God. In this way, God demonstrates that He is both a righteous Judge and the One who declares us righteous, our Justifier (3:26).

reconciliation (Gk. katallagē) (5:11; 11:15; 2 Cor. 5:18, 19) Strong’s #2643: The Greek word basically means “change” or “exchange.” In the context of relationships between people, the term implies a change in attitude on the part of both individuals, a change from enmity to friendship. When used to describe the relationship existing between God and a person, the term implies the change of attitude on the part of both a person and God. The need to change the sinful ways of a human being is obvious; but some argue that no change is needed on the part of God. But inherent in the doctrine of justification is the changed attitude of God toward the sinner. God declares a person who was formerly His enemy to be righteous before Him.

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation…

Colossians 1:20–22 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled…

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 

Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

This week, let us take heart in the truth that, “In the shelter of each other the people live.”

My head (and my heart) find solace in this story from my memory, about connection and shelter, both present and healing, even in a sad and terrifying incident which occurred during the tragic Sarajevo war.

A reporter, covering the fighting and violence in the middle of the city, watched a little girl fatally shot by a sniper. The reporter threw down whatever he held, rushing immediately to the aid of a man who knelt on the pavement cradling the child.

As the man carried the child, the reporter guided them to his car, and sped off to a hospital. “Hurry my friend,” the man urged, “my child is still alive.”

A moment or two later he pleaded, “Hurry my friend, my child is still breathing.”

And a little later, “Please my friend, my child is still warm.”

Although the reporter drove as fast as was possible, by the time they arrived at the hospital, the little girl had died. As the two men were in the lavatory, washing the blood off their hands and their clothes, the man turned to the reporter and said, “This is a terrible task for me. I must now go tell her father that his child is dead. He will be heartbroken.”

The reporter stood speechless. He looked at the grieving man and said, “I thought she was your child.”

The man shook his head. “No. But aren't they all our children?’

Yes. They are.

We live in a world that can be cruel and merciless. And brutalizing.

And there are a heap plenty of people and systems to blame. (Although it is always some “other” people, and some “other” system.)

But the truth is that we wound one another.

We wound with real wars, and real bullets.

And we wound with words, with hatred and resentment.

And we wound with intolerance and small-mindedness (some of it in the name of “love” and God).

So. Let us pause.

And let us take to heart Mother Teresa’s reminder, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

Well, if we do belong to one other, then “they”—the “least of these” and those without voices—are indeed, our children.

Ours to care for.

Ours to listen to.

Ours to see.

Sabbath Moments

Tuning up

Beloved, God of peace,

          I listen for your voice alone.

Amid chaos and disturbance

          I tune my heart to the silence within.

Amid the swirling, the urgency,

          I surrender to your serenity.

Despite the shouting of hate and greed

          I seek harmony with your love.

Despite the noise of force and threat

          I tune myself to your song of peace.

Even despite my fear of unworthiness,

          Beloved, bring my heart into perfect pitch.

Tune my heart to your love,

          that I may live in harmony with your grace.

Amen.

Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Romans 3:19-26 The very basis of the Gospel of Jesus is God’s love!

In Jesus we know God who has always loved us!

Galatians 4:9-11 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

Under the tutelage of Holy Spirit we are changed, not by our works, but by the grace of God in Christ. The yoke of Jesus is easy and His burden is light. 

Acts 22:12-16  “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

Ananias was a Jewish believer under the law. He feared Saul (Paul) because as a Jew he had sought to imprison the believers of the Way. 

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

As members of the Body of Christ we are free from the Law and its rules and we live and abide in the freedom of faith in Jesus the Christ. Grace, the unmerited and undeserved favor of God in the the gift of salvation. Holy Spirit in us is the gift of God and He will never leave to fend for ourselves. The grace of God saved us and Holy Spirit will get us safely home. Not by works but by faith in Jesus Christ plus nothing.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

The law is by works but salvation in Jesus is grace. In Christ we have Freedom without the demands of the Law. faith has made us free. 

Romans 11:13-18 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

At the white throne men will be judged by the Gospel of Grace by our faith in Him who gave His life in exchange for ours.

Colossians 2:14-19 wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

The Jews had 613 rules in their Law. It was a burden, a yoke, and near impossible to keep. But Jesus Christ nailed sin to His cross. When the work of the cross was done it was finished. He defeated the power of Satan and his power of sin and death that held man captive. No one can judge us according to the Law. We were set free in His resurrection. He now sits, at rest, He accomplished everything necessary for salvation! The Old Testament was a shadow of the things He fulfilled .

Romans 3:19-26 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

The law finds all of humanity guilty. It was never intended to save us but to convict us of sin. The Old Testament was a shadow of things to come. All of it was fulfilled in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. Only in Him can we be saved. (John 3:17)  Carla

The law refers to the entirety of Old Testament Scripture, especially the portions quoted in Romans 3:10–18. Those under the law refers to Jews. The works of the law could refer to all the requirements in the law. Alternatively, it might emphasize practices that distinguish Jews from Gentiles, such as observing the Sabbath, food laws, and circumcision. It’s possible for people to observe these laws ceremonially, but Paul’s earlier points suggest they will still fall short of observing everything in the law, such as completely loving their neighbor, or avoiding lust, idolatry, and covetousness. 

Greek word used here, dikaioō, for righteous, describes being in right relationship with God. No one, Jew or Gentile, can earn a right standing before God through obedience to the law. 

The law defines sin through its commands and prohibitions, thereby imparting knowledge about sin. But knowledge of sin is also experiential. When people break the law, they become aware of the presence and power of sin within them. 

Having made the point that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin (verse 9), Paul explains that the righteousness of God is available to all people equally through faith in Jesus Christ (verse 22). People are not justified by following the law, but by faith (verse 28). Faithlife Study Bible

All the world, whether Jewish or Gentile, stands in guilty silence before God. A legal term used of the defendant in a trial, justified means “declared righteous.” No one will be declared righteous by doing what God requires in the Law. This is confirmed by the fact that the Law was not given to justify sinners but to expose sin (verse 19). 

In this context the righteousness of God is not an attribute of God, but an act of God whereby He declares a sinner righteous. This is righteousness from God. God revealed to people how they should live, but no one can live up to God’s perfect way. No one can live up to what God created us to be; we all fall short of His glory. We cannot save ourselves because as sinners we can never meet God’s requirements. Our only hope is faith in Jesus Christ. 

Those who believe (verse 22) are justified, that is, “declared righteous,” freely, without cost, by God’s grace, or “favor.” Christ Jesus died to provide redemption, which means He died to pay the price required to ransom sinners. By paying the penalty of their sin through His death, Jesus can free people from their sin and transfer His righteousness to those who believe in Him. On the basis of Christ’s righteousness alone, believers can approach God’s throne with praise. Through God’s initiative, they have been restored to a proper relationship with Him.

By His death, Christ satisfied the justice of God. He paid the penalty of sin in full. Paul cites two reasons why the righteousness of God comes through Christ’s death. The first is to demonstrate that God Himself is righteous, and did not judge the sins committed prior to the Cross. The second reason for the Cross is that God wanted to show that He is both righteous and at the same time the One who can declare sinners righteous. Because of Christ’s death, God does not compromise His holiness when He forgives a sinner. The NKJV Study Bible

Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Romans 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

Romans 4:15–16 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 

Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Romans 9:30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith

“In the course of a conversation, a friend said to me, ‘Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.’ Not being an Irish speaker, I asked her what it meant. She replied, ‘In the shelter of each other the people live.’ This proverb stirred deep within me; as I reflect on it, I continue to discover its profound, rich meaning, one that is for everyone, irrespective of language, place or race.

    I believe that if we turn to one another… let go of our judgments, become curious about each other, and take the risk to begin a conversation… the world will be a better place.” (Thank you, Margaret J Wheatley, Turning to One Another)

"If we have no peace," Mother Teresa reminded us, "it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."

Lord knows, we find multiple ways to complicate life.

That certainly doesn't mean that we sugarcoat the world. There's enough pain and injury to go around. And I can tell you that I am not a fan of people who—in the name of upbeat coaching—dismiss life's complications, irritations, tensions and potential pain.

So, here's the deal: When we make space we are able to bring who we are, wholeheartedly—whether that be grief or sadness or bewilderment or gladness or joy. And in that space there is hope, and there is mercy. And yes, there is kindness. Sabbath Moments

Quote for our week…

“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Nelson Mandela

Acts 10:34-35 (ESV) "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. '"

…two different worlds came together through faith in Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit: the Jews and the gentiles. Because God shows no favoritism, He teaches us to declare the gospel to all people since anyone who turns from their sin and trusts in Jesus will be saved.

The Acts 10 narrative marks a significant turning point in Scripture and all of Church history. God had accepted believing gentiles in the Old Testament, like when He delivered His people from Egypt along with a "mixed multitude" that included some Egyptians (Exodus 12:38); however, most gentiles did not follow God. Up until Jesus' resurrection in the New Testament, those gentiles who did turn to God had to be circumcised (if they were men) and convert to Judaism (Genesis 17:10). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was also centered on Jewish believers (Acts 2).

But in Acts 10:1-2, we meet Cornelius, a Roman centurion who feared God, prayed regularly and helped those in need. He had everything … except a saving relationship with Jesus. So God instructed Cornelius in a vision to find the Apostle Peter in Joppa so he could hear the gospel (Acts 10:4-8).

God also spoke to Peter in a vision that was challenging for him to understand. Peter saw animals on a sheet, and a voice from heaven said, "What God has made clean, do not call common" (Acts 10:15). Many of these animals were ceremonially unclean according to Jewish dietary laws (Leviticus 11), and as a Jew, Peter had followed these rules his entire life! But God was declaring that Jesus fulfilled the law, not only making all foods clean but making people clean, including gentiles.

Peter seemed to understand this once he met Cornelius' men and "invited them in to be his guests," showing them hospitality and then traveling with them from Joppa to Caesarea the next day (Acts 10:18-24). This close association with gentiles was unheard of for Jews under the old covenant of the law (Deuteronomy 7:26; Acts 10:28), but it signified Peter's shift in perspective and obedience to God's new covenant in Christ.

Peter then presented the gospel to Cornelius, beginning with a statement that set the stage for welcoming gentiles into the Church: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:34-35). As Peter boldly proclaimed this message, "the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles" (Acts 10:45). 

Heaven will be populated by our brothers and sisters "from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" (Revelation 7:9, emphases added). And while we have differences, we have the most precious thing in common that brings our worlds together: We are redeemed by the perfect love and inexhaustible grace of our Savior. 

Praise God that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28)! First5