(Further reflections on "A Divine Connection"--Sunday 3-Mar-2024)
There are two key factors (in Acts 10:23-33) in establishing a divine connection- vertically and horizontally. They are "mutual respect" and "witnesses." And they are geared toward the greater good of individuals, families, communities, societies, and the Kingdom of God, that is, the Great Commission.
Mutual respect connects God-fearing people, who hears and believes the divine appointment and injunction, through the word of Jesus Christ. Both must put Jesus above their traditions and put down their social/religious status and personal egos. In willingness and surrendering, both need to go the extra mile in finding out how the Lord is going to use them for His Kingdom. Needless to say, stepping out of each party's comfort zone is required to build mutual respect that divinely connects. This is called fellowship. Although people may have many social interactions or religious talks throughout the day/week, fellowship only happens between two or more devout Christ's followers, who have mutual respect. Unlike keeping the status quo, in fellowship, we listen empathically and sympathetically; speak the truth in love (cf. Ephesians 4:15); confess sins and pray for one another (cf. James 5:16); become "brother/sister-keeper"(cf. Genesis 4:9) by (a.) pointing directly (not going behind someone's back--gossiping) one's sins or wrongdoings or/and (b.) reporting to Pastor who is responsible before God for shepherding God's flock and taking care of the members of the Body of Christ (cf. Matthew 18:15-17).
Witnesses are those who meet, encounter, believe in His works (birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, the endowment of the Holy Spirit, and the returning), follow Jesus, and live out His word daily. The church of Jesus Christ is supposedly full of witnesses. Everyone who claims to be a Christian needs to live a life of witnessing Christ and be in a community of witnesses. So let us team up with people in the church, those who show mutual respect, have understanding, and begin to see many seemingly mundane activities as "divine appointments" and learn to spot out opportunities for sharing how the "divine injunctions" (e.g. how I used to have racial bias and against certain diet/food and now I can eat and fellowship with you) that have changed and shaped our life for the greater good of individuals, families, communities, societies, and the Kingdom of God, that is, the Great Commission (cf. Matthew 28:18-20).
Amen.
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Pastor Lap
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