Luke 15:2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Jesus continued to tell the disciples and all those who were willing to listen about how we should love all people the same; of course we have favourites, but we do need to love all people.

The Jewish zealots did not want anyone outside of the twelve tribe to have any access to the Messiah – even though they were saying Jesus was not him!

Put aside racial differences and treat every human being as a child of God; you will see a very big difference in the world by looking at them through God’s eyes!

Galatians 2:12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

Is this a side of the old Peter coming through once again? Or is this something more? Debates will be had and we are not going to join in here…

When we do something with people outside of the church or from a difference church, we should be consistent in the way we act toward or with them.

Peter was not. Harsh words such as hypocrisy follow this verse!

Jesus was always the same to the people with Him and around Him, be it in front of Jews or in private. Be more like Jesus and don’t treat people differently just because they go to a different church!

2 Corinthians 12:11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

It is not our position in our churches which we should be so concerned about but the way we act toward others.

Paul realised he had become known and people looked up to him; he played this down and turned the glory back to God.

He wanted to show people he was not asking anything of them but giving as often as he could. He wanted to show them Christ’s heart and spirit through his actions.

How do you fare?