by Mo Mydlo
In Acts 11 God used a supernatural experience with Peter to teach him two lessons, one being that the dietary restrictions that the Jews were forced to live under in the Old Covenant were lifted. The other revelation was even more freeing and relevant to all of us today, and that is, God came not only to save the Jews but also the Gentiles.
God revealed this to Peter so that the disciples would open up their hearts and begin to share the gospel with everyone. Not just those who looked and talked like them.
The words “Don’t call anything impure that God calls pure,” spoke so clearly to me today.
How many times have I felt guilty and ashamed for things that God has already forgiven me for and forgotten? More than I can confess to, unfortunately.
The truth is I have listened to the enemy whispering lies of condemnation to me even though I know the Word says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” It’s like sitting down to eat at a table where there is no food. I’ve accepted the enemies persecution when Jesus is standing in the wing saying, “Here she goes again. Letting him shackle her after she is free.”
Oh friends, what a stab in the back to our Savior Who hung on a tree for our transgressions, when we turn around and call ourselves impure who God has made pure.
We must choose to remember that just like Peter had to learn to let God do the judging and not him, we have to stop feeling impure when God has said, we are clean.
The book of Zechariah depicts this struggle beautifully in the case of Joshua the High Priest. “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.”Zechariah 3:1-5 NIV
Oh y’all, you are a burning stick snatched from the fire. Take off your filthy clothes. Put a clean turban on your head. You are clean! You are pure! You are forgiven. No more calling things impure that God Has made clean by His blood. Be blessed today my friend. Walk proudly in your white robe.