What Can We Call a Man?
~ common or unclean ~
Acts 10:28, "And he (Peter) said unto them, Ye know how that it is
an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come
unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not
call any man common or unclean."
During the 20th and 21st century, we have heard all kinds of name
calling, labelling, bias, prejudice, and many other things; for the
purpose of feeling or gaining superiority over another human being.
So many of us, even Christians, have fallen into this trap and
abused it to the detriment of ourselves and others.
Genesis 1:27-28, "So God created man in His own image, in the
image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And
God Blessed them and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply,
and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the
fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living
thing that moveth upon the earth." Verse 3l says, "And God saw
everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the
evening and the morning were the sixth day."
Hebrews l:2-3, "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son,
who he had appointed heir of all things by whom also He made the
worlds; Who being the brightness of His Glory, and the express image
of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power,
when He had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand
of the Majesty on high."
In these scriptures, we find that our Heavenly Father and His Son,
the Lord Jesus Christ, were divine images of each other. It is
difficult for us to understand the Glory, Divine Nature, the
tremendous implications of their Glorious images in their universal
Kingdom and their thrones. The glorious radiance which emits around,
through, emitting from their presence.
Mankind was created in their divine image but, through the fall,
lost the lustre, radiance, and completeness as a result. But, Jesus
Christ gave himself as a ransom to purchase us with His own blood,
and to restore us in our divine nature through the new birth.
Therefore, all of God's creation of mankind is a divine act in
creation of their image unto His own; thus, giving infinite value to
each human being ever born.
Therefore, we can not and should not ever consider anyone of
lesser value than the one our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus has put
on each of us ... especially, those whom He called and adopted into
His divine creational relationship. When we fail to obey and see
others as inferior and less than our Heavenly Father has called
them, we are disobedient; thus saying, "God, you don't know what you
are doing and I know more!" Repent and ask forgiveness.
It is time we learn to look at every individual and see them as
valuable to our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, to bless us
and many others. He has created all of us for a special purpose.
Therefore, all are very valuable. We each have the possibilities and
opportunities, if we ask God, to have Him do great things for all
mankind.
Heavenly Father, please use me for your glory. Help me see and
seize the opportunities for service. Enlarge my area of influence
and make me a soul winner and life saver, and bring glory to others,
that they might see you in your Glory and desire to serve you! Help
me to learn the value of each and every soul you have created in
your image. Keep me from judging, labelling, or belittling anyone,
anytime. Help me to measure up to your standard, as one restored
into the image of Jesus Christ and you Heavenly Father. Amen
Author unknown