Day 15 - Peter's trance and the unclean animals

Acts 10:9-16  Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.  He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance.  He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,  in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.  A voice came to him, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat!"  But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."  A voice came to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean."  This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven.

In Acts 10:34, 35 Peter tells us exactly what this means - And Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God does not show favoritism;  but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

God confirmed this word in Acts 10:44 -  While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.

 But I think that many of us do not understand how far "What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean." goes.  

These words apply to us, not only in the general sense that we can be born again and inherit eternal life, but in the specific sense that God has indeed cleansed every individual one of us born-again believers.  When He looks at us, He sees us clean. Righteous.  Acceptable.    

Many (maybe all) of those animals that Peter saw in the great sheet were unclean according to the law.  But God declared them clean. 

The same has happened to us.  We were dead in our sins but by the grace of God we have been taken out of darkness and death and brought into light and life.  God has declared us clean.

Maybe there are times when you don't feel clean or alive or worthy.  If you're anything like me, there are no maybe's about it ...  Fortunately our state and the way in which God regards us has exactly zero percent  (nada, nothing, niks, nichts, azigolo) to do with our feelings.  We are clean because God has cleansed us.  End of story.  The debate is over.

Here's a little background to the above:  Some days ago I experienced these feelings of unworthiness.  During my prayer time I read Acts 10 (gee, what a coincidence ;) ) and God rebuked me through verse 15 - I had gone against His word.  It was an easy and joyful repentance, like throwing off a burden.

Agreeing with God is always the best.

If you've had a similar experience, have (a) question(s) or would just like to share a thought, please leave a comment.