What personal biases must we overcome to embrace God's inclusive plan in Acts 15:7?

Acts 15:7—God’s Voice through Peter

“After much discussion, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the message of the gospel and believe.’ ”

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Personal Biases God Calls Us to Overcome

• Ethnic and cultural pride—assuming my background is spiritually superior

• Tradition-lock—believing long-held customs are equal to God’s commands

• Legalism—adding human requirements to the simple gospel of grace

• Comfort with the familiar—preferring people who look, speak, and live like me

• Fear of losing status—worrying that an open door to others diminishes my place

• Suspicion of God’s work outside my circle—doubting the genuineness of outsiders’ faith

• Pride in personal heritage—valuing pedigree over the new birth

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Scripture’s Correction for Each Bias

• Ethnic pride: “There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all.” (Romans 10:12)

• Tradition-lock: Jesus rebuked those who “nullify the word of God by your tradition.” (Mark 7:13)

• Legalism: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

• Comfort with the familiar: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)

• Fear of losing status: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10)

• Suspicion of outsiders: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:15)

• Pride in heritage: “Whatever was gain to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:7)

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Practical Steps to Lay These Biases Down

1. Examine speech and attitudes—confess any jokes, comments, or thoughts that elevate “us” over “them.”

2. Submit every tradition to Scripture—keep what aligns with the Word, release what doesn’t.

3. Celebrate testimonies from believers unlike you—let their stories boost your faith, not your skepticism.

4. Share meals and conversations cross-culturally—familiarity breeds compassion.

5. Prioritize gospel essentials—place faith in Christ above secondary practices.

6. Pray for eyes to see God’s image in every person—Genesis 1:27 is true for all.

7. Remember eternity—Revelation 7:9 pictures a multiethnic multitude worshiping the Lamb together; align now with what will be forever.