God's love has no restrictions.

I have often pondered many of the scriptures I have read. One of the more intriguing stories occurs in Acts chapter 11. It is here that God challenged Peter over his worldview. As a committed follower of Jesus, Peter still adhered to some of the important laws in his culture, such as avoidance of prohibited meat from wild animals.

Shockingly, Peter's vision from God, was a sheet with animals that Jews were banned from eating, and His command was to "Kill and eat". The disciple was aghast at the suggestion and refused, but God had said "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 11: 9NIV). In other words, where God has made clean, it is clean.

Though Peter was puzzled, the visitors who came to him, were from a centurion's regiment. The Roman Empire was still dominant in the known world, and Jews avoided associating with people outside their group. Peter realized that it was beyond a food ban, God was talking about mixing with people that were not Jewish. So, he went with them.

On meeting the centurion Cornelius, Peter saw that God has no restrictions, loves all equally, and without descrimination. Each of the Roman's family and associates were touched by the Holy Spirit and baptized. It was a moment of great joy to the new believers, and Peter realized that God's gift was open to all.

Once Peter recounted with the disciples, after initial hesitation, their respone was "So then, even to Gentiles (Non Jews) God has granted repentence that leads to life" (v. 18). This perspective helps us to remember that God does not show partiality, and He offers the opportunity to all.

Peter and Cornelius