Worship

“You Freed Me, Saved Me” by Housefires

Scripture Foundation

“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” -Acts 10:15b, NIV

The Lord’s Teaching Moment

This is such a beautiful interaction between Peter and the Lord. God still had work to do in Peter—there was a transformation in Peter’s thinking and belief system that needed to shift. The gospel had to advance unhindered by prejudice and Old Covenant theology in light of the work of the cross.

Breaking Down Barriers

There was not to be a distinction between the clean and unclean, pure and impure, as it pertained to the grace of God and the inclusion of Gentiles into the Body of Christ.

“Peter had pretty much put God in a box of limitations, and now God was going to shake Peter up to change his thinking. He can do the same for us.” -David Guzik

God’s Intentional Process

To drive this point home, notice the repetition of three times, which would have been reminiscent of Peter denying Christ three times. At Peter’s restoration on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was getting at Peter’s heart, and here He did it again. The relational repetition Jesus was establishing with Peter was so intimate and intentional.

Modern Application

And now, it comes full circle to us, Christ followers. There is no room in the heart of the believer for any sort of prejudice against another person created in the image of God. Unfortunately, we have been conditioned to receive some and condemn others.

Heart Check Questions

What is your disposition when you encounter:

• A woman in a full burka with only a slit for her eyes
• A transgender man bagging your groceries at the store
• A person fully tattooed with piercings all over his face
• Your neighbor who has the opposing politician’s sign in the yard
• A homeless man sitting in your pew in church

Our Response

All people are created in the image of God. How might we ask God for His heart for each person He has fashioned and formed, especially those whom the enemy has held captive? If we are going to partner with Jesus to set captives free and release those who sit in darkness, we need the Lord to purge our hearts of prejudice, just like He did for Peter.

Prayer of Response

Jesus, sanctify me through and through, that the inner chambers of my heart hold nothing but the grace and mercy of God for people who are lost or different from me. I pray that You would rid me of judgments and prejudice against others, including those in the Body of Christ. Give me eyes to see who You see and how You see them. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You, Lord!