Thursday, July 25, 2013
Acts 10:34, 42-43 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality ... And Jesus commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."
ACTS OF GOD IN ACTS -- COMMISSION
There always seems to be a pretty high profile trial that is going on. And it is easy to fall into the media's "expert" finger pointing and gossip talk that surrounds most trials. There is always a questioning of the judgment and a group that protests the verdict in the end no matter how much evidence. Can the same be true of God’s justice?
People commonly protest God's judgment in the Holy Bible or in life as "unjust," "unloving," and "unfair." But those words couldn't be farther from the truth when we learn more about our loving and righteous Judge and Savior "Who desires all mankind to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Peter knew God's "unfair" judgment first hand. Cursing and swearing, Peter denied to know Jesus three times when Jesus was on trial in Jerusalem. God's judgment would find Peter unquestionably guilty for his sins. There was overwhelming evidence against him, but he found forgiveness in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How are we any different? "Fair" judgment from God would be punishment for my disobedience and wickedness against His holy law!
But Jesus, as seen in the verses above, would go on to teach Peter, as well as us, that "God shows no partiality." Do you see the message of God's "unfair" justice in Christ -- the payer of your sin-debt? Jesus commanded Peter and all His disciples to testify about this! It is this Word through which you and I have been set free and with which we have been told to "go" into all the world. We are to proclaim, without partiality, repentance and remission of sins in Christ alone. What a blessing that God's mighty ACTION has commissioned us to share His perfect justice and love for the world!
