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We like that God doesn't show favoritism, but too often we do. One hundred fifty years ago, there were some who felt that God's favorites were only white people. Some today even feel that America is God's favorite nation. We may not be too sure that those who are not in our political party are God's favorites. Some of those terrible TV ads during the election demonstrate that. Sometimes it is not in our conscious mind, but if we search our soul we will find some prejudice that Satan has planted there.
We preached this passage in Nepal where the caste system had made some feel more favored than others, but when they came to the Lord, the highest caste sat next to the lowest caste in church. Brahmins sat with outcasts. They said it was like a breath of fresh air!
One thing that this text does is separate out some from every nation. So it seems that God does show some favoritism, but if you read God's word carefully, it indicates that while he accepts all without favoritism, some will decide to opt out. In other words, they do not accept God, so it is not his fault since he gives the opportunity to everyone. One of the dangerous things God gives us is free will. In Nepal a wife is often chosen for her husband by the family. I knew one couple who met on their wedding day! Are we happier to be able to choose our life mate? We are Jesus' bride, the Bible says. He has chosen us, but we have to freedom to reject him -- as some have done! I have a feeling that God never sends people to hell. They choose to go there by rejecting him. If they can't stand to be near him and his people on earth, then why would God force them to come home to be with him?
Even today, not all Christians have seen the Lord in the way that the early disciples did, but if we open our eyes, we can see the good he has done and is doing to some who love him. It is our job to follow his example of doing good for others so they can see Christ in us! Then they may ask why we are doing good! In Nepal, the Hindus would ask us why we were so good to them. For one they wondered why we didn't charge them for our medical services as the Hindu priests did. That was our opportunity and many came to Christ when we told them of God's love for them and his healing forgiveness. The proof is that he was raised from the dead! The proof is that they can see in us that faith! Don't let him down!
We preached this passage in Nepal where the caste system had made some feel more favored than others, but when they came to the Lord, the highest caste sat next to the lowest caste in church. Brahmins sat with outcasts. They said it was like a breath of fresh air!
One thing that this text does is separate out some from every nation. So it seems that God does show some favoritism, but if you read God's word carefully, it indicates that while he accepts all without favoritism, some will decide to opt out. In other words, they do not accept God, so it is not his fault since he gives the opportunity to everyone. One of the dangerous things God gives us is free will. In Nepal a wife is often chosen for her husband by the family. I knew one couple who met on their wedding day! Are we happier to be able to choose our life mate? We are Jesus' bride, the Bible says. He has chosen us, but we have to freedom to reject him -- as some have done! I have a feeling that God never sends people to hell. They choose to go there by rejecting him. If they can't stand to be near him and his people on earth, then why would God force them to come home to be with him?
Even today, not all Christians have seen the Lord in the way that the early disciples did, but if we open our eyes, we can see the good he has done and is doing to some who love him. It is our job to follow his example of doing good for others so they can see Christ in us! Then they may ask why we are doing good! In Nepal, the Hindus would ask us why we were so good to them. For one they wondered why we didn't charge them for our medical services as the Hindu priests did. That was our opportunity and many came to Christ when we told them of God's love for them and his healing forgiveness. The proof is that he was raised from the dead! The proof is that they can see in us that faith! Don't let him down!
