Equal Opportunity God

At the time of Jesus Christ's death the veil separating the people from the holiest of holies in the Jerusalem temple was ripped from top to bottom. It is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that all men were given access to God. It was like God was saying "Ok that's it! This religious separation is done! Enough of this temple stuff! Rip!!!!!!"

In the book of Acts, one can read about tremendously meek men like Peter and Paul who listened to God and continued to erase all lines of the elitism and separatism of man-made religion. They were great men, not perfect, and they stood on what God was showing them strengthened by the spirit within. They were real leaders, growing, believing, moving and serving others. Both men had adjustments to make in their lives and they knew it. They were keenly aware of what was going on around them and adapted to God's revelation to them. There was plenty of opposition and differences of opinion as others clung to the old traditional ways of doing things. They were not afraid to change, to throw out those old traditions and reach out to bring the living vitality of God's spiritual strength to anyone who so chose to believe.

Paul's conversion and growth started in Acts 9.  In Acts 10, Peter continued to make adjustments to his thinking. They were working for the same God! Paul ultimately would minister to the uncircumcision and Peter to the circumcision, but with the same spiritual direction. This required change on both men's parts.

In Acts 10, Peter, in one of the most detailed accounts in Acts, ministers the Word to a Roman household in Caesarea. The careful description of how God worked with all the individuals involved by preparing their hearts and detailing instructions with exquisite timing is an event that only God could orchestrate. At the end of it Peter makes a beautiful statement of God's heart towards all walks and cultures:

^{Acts 10:34}Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (see link to Digging Deeper))

This meant that there was no longer Jew(Judean) or Gentile. The body of Christ was comprised of the children of God. The chosen people were those who chose Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life!

God truly is an equal opportunity God. He has given each of His children the gift of holy spirit to live life to the fullest and help others. Our lives have this same orchestration as we continue to move, growing and changing with the spirit of God. We become equal opportunity ambassadors as we meet others who are looking for God.