What personal biases must we overcome to share the gospel universally? Setting the Scene: Two Apostles, One Gospel “On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.” (Galatians 2:7) • Same gospel, two audiences. • Paul and Peter illustrate that Kingdom work ignores cultural borders—so must we. Personal Biases That Hinder Universal Evangelism • Ethnic pride – believing my nation, tribe, or race is superior. • Cultural comfort – assuming our music, dress, or customs are “more Christian.” • Religious traditionalism – expecting people to adopt secondary customs (Acts 15:5). • Social and economic prejudice – favoring the influential while overlooking the poor (James 2:1–4: “do not show favoritism”). • Intellectual elitism – thinking the gospel is only for the educated. • Fear of the unfamiliar – avoiding settings or people that feel unsafe or awkward. • Past hurts and stereotypes – letting previous negative experiences define entire groups. Scripture’s Portrait of Bias Confronted • Peter’s vision and Cornelius (Acts 10:34–35) – “God does not show favoritism.” • Jonah and Nineveh – nationalism challenged by God’s compassion (Jonah 4:1–2). • Jesus with the Samaritan woman (John 4:7–26) – barriers of ethnicity, gender, and morality crossed. • Romans 1:16 – “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes—first to the Jew, then to the Greek.” • Galatians 3:28 – “you are all one in Christ Jesus.” • 2 Corinthians 5:16 – “from now on we regard no one according to the flesh.” • 1 Corinthians 9:22 – “I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some.” Practical Steps to Lay Down Prejudices 1. Invite Scripture to expose hidden attitudes; read accounts like Acts 10 slowly and honestly. 2. Remember our own unworthiness; grace erases any ground for superiority (Ephesians 2:8–9). 3. Cultivate friendships across lines of race, class, and background; listen more than speak. 4. Adapt, don’t dilute—use language, illustrations, and settings that serve the listener without altering the message. 5. Choose discomfort for the sake of love; step into neighborhoods, cultures, or conversations you would naturally avoid. 6. Celebrate testimonies from other cultures to keep a global vision before your heart. 7. Ask the Lord daily to renew compassion for “every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9). Renewing Our Vision for All Peoples The gospel entrusted to Paul for Gentiles and to Peter for Jews is the same life-giving message we steward today. When personal biases crumble under the authority of Scripture, the church reflects heaven’s reality—one redeemed family, diverse yet united, proclaiming Christ to the ends of the earth. |
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