"After a long debate Peter stood up and said, “My brothers and sisters, you know that a long time ago God chose me from among you to preach the Good News to the Gentiles, so that they could hear and believe. And God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, showed his approval of the Gentiles by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he had to us.

He made no difference between us and them; he forgave their sins because they believed. So then, why do you now want to put God to the test by laying a load on the backs of the believers which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry? No!

We believe and are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”"

(Acts 15.7-11 GNB)

"God ... showed his approval ... to them, just as he had to us. He made no difference between us and them ... We ... are saved by the grace ... just as they are."

Christians focus a lot on differences and thus have many heated disagreements. Differences define who we are as distinct from others, but similarities define common bonds that strengthen.

If we can focus more on our similarities in Christ, then maybe we can strengthen each other more. If we can focus on how grace works the same on sinners (of which we all are), then maybe we can win more people for Christ.

Lord,
please give me wisdom and humility
that Christ' grace would shine through me daily
and bring glory to you