Ready Obedience is the Right Way
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Rev. Enoch Thompson | June 12 2025 | Acts 10:19-29
KEY VERSE: “Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along." Acts 10:23 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
When we receive instructions from the Lord to do something in particular, like give a gift to someone, or share the Gospel with someone or visit someone or embark on a fast or go into ministry, what is important and impressive to God is the promptness with which we respond. Peter seemed to have grasped the notion that delayed or postponed obedience may be tantamount to disobedience, and he proceeded to obey the directive that was coming forcefully from God regarding the need to embrace the Gentiles as necessary beneficiaries of the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.
In verse 21, Peter offers himself readily to a Gentile delegation; “Peter went down and said to the men, 'I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?"(NIV). In verse 23 (a), the Jewish Peter, acting in obedience to the divine vision, invited the Gentile delegation into the house where he was staying. In verse 23 (b), Peter travels in the company of Gentiles on a common mission to a common destination. In verse 25, Peter actually enters the house of a Gentile colonial officer and admits that he is only a man, like the Gentile Cornelius. See Peter in verse 27 engaged in a chat with Cornelius as they walk together into the Gentile house of Cornelius. And in verse 28, Peter, almost with an apology, tells his Gentile audience the reason for his new attitude: “God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.”
When the word from God comes to us, we must let it begin to affect us immediately and take immediate steps to obey it.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Have you heard anything from God in the past or recently? Be quick to respond to God in ready obedience.
PRAYER:
Lord, I want to be like Peter in today’s text, quick to hear and ready to obey. Lord, keep me from postponing obedience to your word to me. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
DAILY word study: INVITED The Greek word translated “invited” here is eiskaleō (εἰσκαλέω), meaning “to call or summon in.” It combines eis (into) and kaleō (to call), emphasising intentional welcome and inclusion into one’s space.
Peter didn’t merely tolerate the Gentile visitors; he welcomed them into fellowship. In Jewish culture, this was a radical act of acceptance. The word eiskaleō suggests a deliberate action, not a casual offer. Peter was obeying God’s voice by crossing cultural lines and extending hospitality.
Reflection:
When God brings people to your door, whether physically or through life situations, do you invite them in? Your invitation may be someone’s first experience of grace.
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