July 2 — "When Labels Fall, Grace Rises"

Today's Reading: Acts 10:1-23

Be careful how you label things—or people. In Acts 10:15, God jolted Peter with a bold truth: “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This wasn’t a minor adjustment to Peter’s diet—it was a radical shift in his worldview! He thought he was being faithful, but his labels didn’t match God’s. This verse reminds us: Don’t mislabel what God has redeemed. Whether it’s people, places, or situations, our perception must align with God’s truth—not our own biases.

Peter lived in a world neatly divided: holy (set apart for God) or common (unclean; off-limits). This wasn’t just cultural—it was ingrained through centuries of religious tradition. To most Jews, Gentiles were outsiders. They didn’t follow the Law of Moses. They worshiped false gods. They lived differently. So, forming close relationships, entering their homes, or even touching them? Unthinkable.

This mindset built invisible walls: They’re not like us. Even devout Gentiles like Cornelius, who feared God and gave generously to His work were still seen as outsiders. To Peter, God’s saving power was inseparable from Jewish heritage and tradition, and not for Gentiles. So, when God called him to step into a Gentile’s home—to share the Gospel—it clashed with everything he’d been taught.

Peter didn’t believe Gentiles were unworthy of love—he simply assumed they were outside holiness’s reach. But God uprooted that thinking.

And here’s where it hits home—we still slap labels on people. We categorize them by politics, past mistakes, addictions, or appearances. We write off entire communities—biker clubs, rehab centers, Hollywood, tattoo shops, even certain churches—assuming God’s not working there. We’ve branded people lost causes when God is moving in ways we can’t see.

But if God calls someone clean, forgiven, chosen, and accepted—who are we to say otherwise?

It’s time for a spiritual label audit. Ask God: “Who or what have I misjudged?” Surrender assumptions. Replace human categories with heavenly truth. Instead of avoiding the atheist, the addict, the celebrity, or the broken—you might be the very person God wants to use to bring grace.

May God open your eyes beyond appearances. May He give you the humility to replace labels with His love. And may you step boldly into places and relationships you once wrote off—knowing grace is always bigger than our categories.