Change

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
1 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
4 Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’
8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.
Acts 10:44-11:10

The habits of a lifetime can be difficult to change, particularly when they are central to the culture. But God is in the business of change as He works out His plan to redeem a fallen world.

For thousands of years, the Jews followed certain practices. Men were circumcised, sacrifices were offered, and certain foods were avoided. But when God sent Jesus into this world, He changed things. The old temple sacrifice was no longer necessary, because “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10) Circumcision was no longer necessary because Paul tells us “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6)

But perhaps the hardest custom to change related to eating. Circumcision occurred once in each man’s life, and sacrifice was normally on special occasions. But we eat food every day. Perhaps this is why Peter’s dream was repeated three times, because it was so difficult for Peter to accept this change. Often it is the everyday things that are the most difficult to change.

What everyday things is God calling you to change?

Prayer:
• A changed life is the mark of a Christian. Old habits fall away, and new habits come. How is God calling you to change?