A Fair and Just God
READ: Acts 10:34-38
John and Mark were trying out for the baseball team. They were both good players. They both gave it their best, and Mark was especially talented. After two weeks, it was time for cuts. All the kids on the team knew Mark was sure to make the team, but that’s not what happened.
Mark didn't make the team, even though less talented players did. John came to realize that is was probably because Mark was a different nationality, unlike the rest of the players and the coaches. John told the other players that it just wasn’t fair for Mark to be cut because he looked different. Kids who could hardly play made the team because they knew the coach well. The players told the coaches that if Mark didn’t make the team because of his nationality, no one would play. John told the coaches that this is not how God deals with a situation. The situation was not fair to Mark. The coaches apologized and Mark played.
God doesn’t discriminate. All are sinful. All sin has been paid for. God is just and will always treat His children fairly. As it says in the book of Acts, “…but God accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” In Christ each one of us plays on the Lord’s team.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: When you feel like someone is not being just, how do you handle it? How often do you judge people by their color or difference? When someone asks for forgiveness, how do you react?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Ask God to keep us from judging people on the basis of race. Thank God for making a place for each of us on His team.