Acts 10-11

After the visions and everything Peter ends up at Cornelius' house. And here we see Peter say how it is against the law for a Jew to associate with Gentiles. Samaritans, kinda like half Jewish, kinda, but now we are into the realm of Roman soldiers, clearly not of Jewish descent and yet the Spirit is still poured out, even before Peter is done talking.

So, who is so 'unlawful' that the Spirit would not be poured out, the gift of Salvation not reserved, the gospel of salvation not preached? Think really hard. Who do you think is so far from the gospel that it would never be accepted by them, never be heard and produce lasting fruit? People who sleep around? Prostitutes? People walking in parades this week? People on the street who steal? Business CEOs with millions? The big guys in bars who drink and curse? The people in the market who rip you off?

"God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean." v. 29

No one. All are able to be given the grace of God and to hear the words of salvation and come to repentance.

Now, I don't mean that they should continue in their wrongdoings whatever they may be. Repentance is a change of mind and heart. Both recognizing what you are doing for what it is in God's sight and also then seeking to change what you are doing. A change in attitude and action.

"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." v. 34b-35.

Do what is right.

Paul later, inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote a letter to the Corinthian church.

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolators nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1Cor106:9-11

That is what some of them were. Were. Past tense. But by the Spirit they were sanctified and no longer live that way; their sins forgiven and washed away by the death of Jesus on the cross allowing them to be made new in Him by the resurrection.

No one is too far off to be saved, so we should not look at them with hatred, but with God's love and compassion.