Acts 10:34-43
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Reflection
In his gospel presentation, Peter does not quote the Old Testament as on previous occasions (Acts 2:14–36; 3:11–26), but his message remains consistent: Jesus lived, died, and was raised; he has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead; and everyone is called to turn to him for the forgiveness of sins through the name of Jesus. This is the height of God’s redemptive plan.
God shows no partiality, but freely receives all who believe in his Son, Jesus Christ. Both Jew and Gentile (non-Jew) receive forgiveness through Jesus (15:11). The cross of Christ is the great equalizer: we are all humbled as we grasp the magnitude of our sin and guilt; yet at the cross, the offer of forgiveness is made to all without distinction. Because Jesus is Lord of all (10:36), his gospel is available to all.
3 John 9-15
9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them.
Reflection
John gives an example of one man who was refusing to support gospel-faithful ministry (3 John 9–11), evidently because of his refusal to humble himself under the authority of the apostles (v. 9). Diotrephes demonstrates that a failure to yield to the truth of God’s Word spoken through the apostles inevitably results in a life that betrays the gospel. Christians must beware of the proud and rebellious influence of people like this. Instead, John encourages his readers to follow the example of those whose lives conform to God’s truth and put the transforming power of the gospel on display (vv. 11–12).
Psalm 25:7
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
Pride is extremely dangerous, and as we see in the life of Diotrephes, it makes us opponents of God’s agenda in the world. Praise God that his grace changes prideful hearts and brings us to humble repentance. Maintain a humble posture before God by confessing any known sin and admitting your need for his mercy again today.