The Great Contradiction

"He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. 'Then a voice said to him, 'Get up Peter; kill and eat them.'...'Never Lord,' Peter declared. 'I have never in my life eaten anything forbidden by our Jewish laws.' The voice spoke again, 'If God says something is acceptable, don't say it isn't.' The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was pulled up again to heaven." Acts 10:11-16

This account in Acts, which tells of Peter's vision from God that sets the course for his going and ministering to and having fellowship with a non-Jew. Something strictly forbidden by Jewish law. It is much used by the Church as an illustration of our tendency to restrict just who we will love an reach out to. But in it is something more. Something usually missed by most of us who read the account.

I've a friend that calls this passage "the great contradiction." Why? Because of two words spoken by Peter, and in the same address; "Never," and "Lord." Do you see it? In the same breath, Peter calls Him Lord, yet refuses to do what He commands. In his relationship with His God, what greater contradiction could there be? Here's a more penetrating question for each of us. To what degree are our lives and relationship with Him a great contradiction as well? In how many areas and ways do we call Him Lord, yet disregard, disobey, and even defy His will and direction for our lives? Where has He spoken His purpose to us, and we, for whatever reason or justification, told Him, "Never Lord?" Where are we doing so now?

I think we are most prone to this sin, and yes, it is sin, when Christ leads us to a place far outside our comfort zone. He requires of us something out of our ordinary experience. Something we were sure He never would. I have lost track of all the times I have heard believers say, "I don't think the Lord would do that." I've said it myself. Surely that mindset was upon Peter. The Jews had very strict dietary regulations and boundaries. He could not envision the Father ever taking him outside of them. Yet He did. Where are the self-made boundaries that we've set up in our lives that put a limit to just how deep our obedience to Him will go?
Where are we living "the great contradiction?"

Be assured of something. Jesus will call us on this contradiction. In His word He said, "Why do you call Me Lord, and yet do not do what I say?" It's a piercing question against which none of our excuses, justifications, and rationalizations can stand. All the contradictions in our lives fall before that question. We may spend our lives running from it, but in the end, we will stand before Him and give account. There will be no lives of contradiction in heaven. That being the case, why do we insist on living them on earth?

Christ meets us where we are, and where we are is filled with contradictions. Growth in grace is a process of those contradictions being removed, one contradiction at a time. Do you welcome that? Or, do you go on living "the great contradiction?"

Blessings,
Pastor O