"And the voice came to him again a second time, 'What God has made clean, do not call common.'" - Act 10:15 ESV.
In life, we often find ourselves separated by invisible walls - cultural divides, religious differences, racial barriers. These man-made constructs can seem as impenetrable as fortresses, keeping us isolated from one another. Yet, as we delve into the rich narrative of Acts 10:1-23, we discover Cornelius. His story reminds us that righteousness is not confined to the walls we build; it can flourish across all divides. The angel's message to Cornelius, coupled with Peter's vision, reveals that God's love knows no boundaries, inviting us to embrace the unfamiliar and the different.
God calls us to appreciate the diversity of His creation. The barriers of culture, race, and religion often blind us to the richness that others bring into our lives. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, was found to be a righteous man despite being outside the traditional Jewish fold. It was a strange and difficult concept for Peter to grasp. But as Peter learns through his vision of clean and unclean animals, what God has made clean should not be called common. This is a powerful reminder that our judgments can often be misguided, and we must be willing to dismantle our preconceived notions.
God's love is like a mighty river, carving through the landscape of our prejudices and preconceptions. It flows freely, nourishing all in its path, regardless of their background or beliefs. It is a love that gathers people from all walks of life, urging us to open our hearts to those who may seem different. The famous theologian N.T. Wright once said, "The gospel is about the kingdom of God, which is open to all." This inclusivity is not merely an ideal but a call to action. We are challenged to move beyond mere goodness, as exemplified by Cornelius, to a deeper relationship with Christ that transforms us into true followers.
As this story shows, the journey to faith doesn't end with what Cornelius have achieved apart from the gospel. For he may have heard about repentance from John the Baptist's messages. Yet, there should be a progression from common uprightness to gospel-induced righteousness. It's like climbing a mountain - while the base camp of good deeds is commendable, the summit of true discipleship requires the oxygen of faith.
In our daily lives, let us strive to be bridge-builders, reaching across the chasms that separate us from our fellow human beings through the sharing of the good news to everyone. Let us see the image of God in every face we encounter and the possibility that one of them is a lost sheep too, regardless of the labels society may have attached to them. For in doing so, we not only honor the inclusive love of our Creator but also enrich our own lives with the wisdom and beauty that diversity brings.
