Posts tagged ‘devotional’
All People Are Sinners – Devotional
God is not colorblind
As I study through the book of Romans it’s amazing to me how much this book of the Bible talks about the relationship between Jews and Gentiles. I am particularly encouraged that everyone is in the same boat when it comes to our sin. One ethnic group or race…isn’t better than another.
I am not saying that God is colorblind. Absolutely not. God is NOT deficient in His ability to see people.
But God has the ability, because of his sovereignty and omnipresence, to see into the depths of our hearts. The following passages would support that:
Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.
Romans 3:9But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
The gospel is for everyone
This all means that people from every tribe, nation, and tongue have the opportunity to become part of the diverse Body of Christ…if they believe.
Romans 10:9-13 says:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Questions for you
1. Do you think God is colorblind? Why or why not?
2. Do you feel humbled knowing that God can look into the depths of your heart?
3. Does our sin nature also cause us to be divided in the Church as well?
4. After spending some time in these passages, do you sense more of a reason to pursue a multicultural Church? Why or why not?
5. After spending some time in these passages, do you sense more of a reason to pursue unity in the Church? Why or why not?
Blog post by Peter Kihyun Park
© 2011, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
“…prove to the world that you are my disciples” – Part 2
Meditate on John 13:31-38 and/or click on the following link to read the passage:
“…prove to the world that you are my disciples” – Part 1
Personal Commentary and Thoughts
After reading this passage several times over the part that stuck me the most is verse 35 where Jesus says:
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
I mean this is one of the most important and last teaching Jesus tells His disciples before He is crucified, so I would put it in the category of pretty important. But what does this mean in a practical way?
I believe that we need to get a little deeper and a little more intentional about our relationships with our BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of going back and forth with “How are you doing? Good? Good.”
It’s not entirely a bad thing to ask, but if it doesn’t go beyond that….well, then there’s a problem.
My painting story
Recently, a friend of mine that I work with was getting his new apartment ready to move into before he gets married. It needed a lot of work. The first and most important thing on the list was to paint all the rooms.
And if you’ve painted before you know that it can be a long process with includes some sore shoulders.
As I recall, we were talking about something else on the phone and he casually asked if I wanted to help. I said that I would. I actually rearranged my schedule to help him out on Friday and Saturday.
He was more than surprised because he was actually half kidding when he asked me. He didn’t really think I would help.
This could be because we haven’t been friends for that long and I’m actually about 30 minutes away. I only did help for a few hours, but it was a great chance to get to talk to him and know his heart.
Questions to think about
1. What does verse John 13:35 mean to you?
2. What are some practical ways we can show our love for one another?
3. What does this passage mean for your multicultural church?
4. How would this passage, John 13:31-38, change how your worshiping community lived out the gospel?
More questions and final thoughts
We can talk to people Jesus until we’re blue in the face, but if we don’t practically live out the unity and love that God has intended for us, then how’s the Church didn’t than any other community? How can relationships happen? How would the gospel be shared?
Blog post by Peter Kihyun Park
© 2011, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
From one man he made all the nations – Part 2
In our previous post, From one man he made all the nations – Part 1, you had the opportunity to take a look at Acts 17:24-27. I recommend either clicking on this link or opening up your bibles to this passage of scripture because we’re about to take a critical look at this passage.
Questions to think about concerning this passage
1. How does verse 24 address God’s sovereignty?
2. Is the church/temple the only place where we can meet with God? Why or why not?
3. Does God need anything from us?
4. Does knowing that God gives you breath and sustains you day to day humble you? Why or why not?
5. Read verses 26-27 a couple of times. What is the significance of these passages for those pursuing to be the multicultural Church?
6. What is the significance of this passage of Scripture when it comes to reflecting the gospel in worship?
I want to encourage you to leave a comment with your answers and questions after reflecting on Acts 17:24-27.
Blog Post by Peter Kihyun Park
© 2011, Peter Park. All rights reserved.