Acts 10:34 ¶ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
I can’t tell you enough how thankful I am that God is not a respecter of persons. This has brought me much peace over the years, as I look outside my little world of excess and see the suffering that fills the world. It brings me great comfort to know and understand that God loves all his children. As I look over my life and the afflictions and trials that I have faced, I can see the tender mercies of the Lord, and in some cases I can see that without him, the situation would have been impossible. This is a calming salve to my soul. With this understanding I realize that prayers and trust in God are some of the greatest gifts and tools that we have available to us. We can pray at any time and anywhere for anyone we would like. If someone is suffering near you, or far away, and you are unable to do something personally to help relieve the burden–pray. We can pray for everyone. With that, our lives will expand to love everyone, and the reality that everyone is our neighbor, and that we commanded to love them becomes literal. Our problems are swallowed up in the love of others, and our respective challenges allow us to have a glimpse into the love of our Heavenly Father, as he juggles all the worlds difficulties perfectly.
“The Light of Christ fills the universe.
It fills the earth.
And it can fill every heart.
“God is no respecter of persons.” His light is available to all—great or small, rich or poor, privileged or disadvantaged.
If you open your mind and heart to receive the Light of Christ and humbly follow the Savior, you will receive more light. Line upon line, here a little and there a little, you will gather more light and truth into your souls until darkness has been banished from your life.
God will open your eyes.
God will give you a new heart.
God’s love, light, and truth will cause dormant things to spring to life, and you will be reborn into a newness of life in Christ Jesus.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
I am also thankful that the Lord is not a respecter of persons, because if he were we would not be living in the country that we live in and experiencing the joy of His gospel as we do. We are the gentiles, the once filthy, loathsome people who the Jews, at one time, believed could not be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. How wrong they were, for we are still going strong. We were so strong that we carried the gospel to America, where after the great apostasy, the time and conditions were right for the restoration of His church. This allowed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be upon the earth again, and to be led by Christ himself through prophets and apostles. We have the priesthood on earth again, so that the entire world can be blessed by its precepts and power.
“I testify that America is a choice land. (See 2 Ne. 1:5.) God raised up the founding fathers of the United States of America and established the inspired Constitution. (See D&C 101:77–80.) This was the required prologue for the restoration of the gospel. (See 3 Ne. 21:4.) America will be a blessed land unto the righteous forever and is the base from which God will continue to direct the worldwide latter-day operations of His kingdom. (See 2 Ne. 1:7.)” -Ezra Taft Benson
However, with this understanding comes great responsibly. We, too, are to understand that if God can reveal changes at the appropriate time in the New Testament days, then he can reveal changes today. These changes, as strange as they may appear immediately, are actually divinely orchestrated. It takes time to see the full effects of the work of the Lord, but we can rest assured that he has a plan, and it’s a perfect plan that cannot be frustrated by us. We can, however, choose to not allow the Holy Ghost testify of the truthfulness of these changes due a hard heart heart and pride; nevertheless, each and every person can come to understand and accept change for themselves if they will but ask the Father, in prayer, to understand for themselves.
“We live in one of the greatest dispensations of all times—a time former prophets looked forward to, prophesied of, and, I believe, yearned for. However, with all the heavenly blessings bestowed upon us, Satan, ever so real, is ever so active, and conflicting messages are continually bombarding all of us. The angel Moroni warned the young Prophet Joseph Smith that his name would be known for good and evil throughout the world (see Joseph Smith—History 1:33), and never has the fulfillment of a prophecy been more evident. The Prophet gave his life for his testimony, and the attacks continue today against the Church and even the Savior Himself. The reality of the Savior, His atoning sacrifice, and its universal application for all of us is challenged and often dismissed as a myth or the baseless hope of a weak and uneducated mind. Furthermore, the reality of the Restoration of the gospel in these latter days continues to be challenged. The continual bombardment of such messages may cause confusion, doubt, and pessimism, each attacking the fundamental truths we believe in, our faith in God, and our hope in the future.
This might be the reality of our world, but we can still choose how we react to it. When our sacred doctrine and beliefs are challenged, this is our opportunity to become acquainted with God in a most private and intimate manner. This is our opportunity to choose.” -Richard C. Edgley
Look at these three verses of the beautiful plan for the Gentiles unraveled as the apostles reacted to the change immediately without hesitation. Adapting it as if it was always the law.
Acts 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
All change brings resistance. It is just how it is. I have experienced this with business. Whenever management changes, the staff resist the changes that the new management apply, even when the new policies are better. This is because we get complacent and we get comfortable. Change is hard because it makes us change, and it challenges us. That is where persecution comes from, when change is not accepted or where an a opinion has been formed and something challenges that opinion.
Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Acts 13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
How we react to these persecutions is key to following Christ. As we take His name upon us, we must remember that we are a light to all, even those who oppose us. Contention is never of God, and it is never God’s way to fight back with vengeance. In the two verses below, you can see how the apostles handled the persecutions they were facing. They spoke boldly of truth, begging those who would listen to understand that this is the word of God, and he has brought it to them if they are willing to follow. If not, the Lord’s work will move forward, and those who choose to follow can come along. Then they shake off the dust and move on. Bringing the joy and light of the gospel to anyone who is willing to be filled with the Holy Ghost and join the Lord.
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
As we read these chapters, and then feel the opposition that the apostles faced in order to bring the gospel to us, the gentiles, let us then remember this for others. Let us be joyous as the gospel is shared and embraced throughout the entire world. Even better, let us look around us, right where we are, and share the gospel with everyone, especially those that may appear at first to be broken, or “unclean”, and share the joy the the gospel brings to each of us thorough the redemption of the Savior.
New members need to be loved and embraced fully. They need to be given time to adjusted to the changes that not only come with the culture of the church but just with the changes in their lives. They need to be able to do so without judgement and condemnation from others. They need forgiveness, kindness, and love. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is for EVERYONE!!!!
Acts 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
“Nearing the end of His earthly ministry, our Savior, Jesus Christ, commanded His disciples: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). All Christians are under these commands to share the gospel with everyone. Many call this the “great commission.” -Dallin H. Oaks
“The sons of Mosiah were determined to offer the gospel to everyone. This desire came from their personal experience with repentance. They could not bear the thought of any person suffering the effects of sin as they had. So they faced years of rejection, hardship, and danger to offer the gospel of Jesus Christ to their enemies. In the process, they found joy in the many who repented and experienced the joy of forgiveness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Our family members will grow in their desire to share the gospel as they feel the joy of forgiveness. That can come even as they renew covenants when they partake of the sacrament. The missionary spirit will grow in our homes as children and parents feel the joy of forgiveness in the sacrament service. By their example of reverence, both parents and children can help each other feel that joy. That joy can go far in turning our homes into missionary training centers. All might not serve missions, but all will feel the desire to share the gospel, which has brought them to feel forgiveness and peace. And whether currently serving full-time or not, all can feel joy in offering the gospel to others.” -Henry B. Eyring
-Sherri Jorgensen
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