The Journey 187

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Read: Acts: 10: 24-38
“Conference for  White Christians”. Ever heard a a group of Christians like that?.  If not……please read forward. According to Katherine Weber of Christian Post, a conference was organized last week at Guin, Alabama,  by the Christian Identity Ministries [ CIM]. They are  now in the center of a storm for organizing “ The Annual Pastors Conference for All White Christians”. Bu the participants are shrugging off all  criticism by arguing that they have a right to practice their religious freedom. But the local church’s and the community are reiterating that the conference is  contradicting the truths in the Word of God and is also spreading racism. According to the founder of the Christian Identity Ministries, Rev. Mel Lewis, who spoke to the local press and the radio station, stated boldly but rashly that the conference is in the fourth year and he says that the conference is meant for the white Christians whom he claims as the “Chosen  Race”. The local people have also complained since even the fliers for the conference was hateful. At a time when the organization like the church and also the gospel message has to be made relevant and meaningful, with effective witness in the society, I think groups like these are once again creating  hostilities even in our efforts to have union along with common grounds of faith. How do we regain that unity and the common grounds that will help us to be agents of transformation in our community?.
                             This week we are meditating on the theme “ Transformation in our Community”, The meditation for today is taken from Acts 10: 24-38. This is the continuation of the ministry of Peter after he receives his vision, a vision that transforms Peter’s concept of ministry, concept of  church, and also helping him to take the message of the gospel to new geographical and cultural boundaries. What is  mentioned in the portion today is the unique  meeting between  Peter and Cornelius.  What is unique about this  meeting is that God that Peter honestly makes a confession about his so called “racist” attitude. Peter says in v: 27,  that “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean”. That is when both Peter and Cornelius understood that this meeting was God’s divine plan in breaking the so called racist boundary of Jewish Christians. These are meetings that are landmarks in the history of the early church and also for newer milestones in the history of the church later. Thus when the Word of God breaks and destroys racist boundaries, it is so tragic that there are many believers  even today who are not ready to submit to the power of God and also to the truths of the Word of God and thus  still continuing to set blocks to the transmission of the gospel message.  What type of Christian are you?  Black, Brown or White or One in Christ? .

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