January 21, 2010 - Acts 11:18

“When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.’” Acts 11:18.
Peter responded to the objections of his brothers back in Jerusalem concerning his involvement with the Gentile household of Cornelius. Peter’s closing question ended any further concerns, and, finally, the whole assembly gave praise to God. They recognized that God had done the work and that Peter had just followed along, giving an eyewitness account to what had happened. The assembly realized that “repentance unto life” in Jesus was no longer restricted to the Jews, but was now opened up to the Gentile world.
One thing that I have noticed among many people is that we tend to bring our own list of restrictions to whatever we are involved with. I am surprised at who gets involved with an activity because it is often the people that I was not expecting to, who get involved, and the ones that I thought would be involved, do not. It doesn’t happen all the time but often enough for me to notice. Fortunately, I usually do not restrict anyone’s involvement. Yet in my mind, I have already restricted them, by purposely not extending an invitation. Fortunately, in many instances, God has touched their hearts. And when God is moving, who am I to hold my petty restrictions against them?
Questions to consider: Have you restricted anyone from being involved with something you were involved with? What were the circumstances around that, and how did that work for you? Have you ever been restricted from participating in something? How did that make you feel?
Prayer: Father, Thank You that You have not restricted me, or anyone, from coming close to You or from getting involved with anything You are doing. Thank You that You are a God who accepts and does not reject. Amen.