*Acts 10:34-35* "Then Peter replied, 'I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.'"
Imagine a father with 5 children. One child comes and shouts in front of the others, "Daddy told me I am his only favourite! He loves me more than all of you!"
How will the other 4 children feel? Even if the father didn't say it, those words will make them feel rejected, less loved, and unwanted. Some may even start to cry in their heart.
That is exactly what we do in church sometimes. Many times we hear people testify like this: "I am God's favourite." Some even say on the altar, "I am the most loved among you all."
They may mean well, but they don't know they are breaking someone's heart.
In that same service, there may be a sister who is battling depression, rejection, and guilt. She is already asking in her heart, "Does God even love me? Does God even see me?" Then she hears you say, "God loves me more than all of you." How do you think she will feel? Broken.
Sometimes our testimonies, instead of lifting people, make them feel small. We share in a way that says, "God is working for me, but not for you." Without knowing, we make people feel that God has abandoned them.
But the Bible is clear. God has no favourite.
If God had favourites based on tribe or past, none of us in Africa would qualify. His love is equal for everyone. Romans 5:8 says Christ died for ALL.
What Peter meant in Acts 10:35 is this: We all have equal love from God, but we don't all have equal experience of God. Your experience grows when you fear God and do what is right.
If you want to see more of God's hand, it's not because you are His favourite, it's because you are walking closer with Him.
So, God loves us the same, but we experience Him differently based on our walk with Him.
*What should we do then?*
1. *Be careful with your words.*
Share your testimony to encourage, not to show you are better. Some testimonies are better shared with individuals than with everyone. Learn to read the room. In a congregation where people are struggling, certain testimonies may be misunderstood.
2. *Lift the broken.*
Let your words tell people, "If God did it for me, He can do it for you too, because He loves you the same."
3. *Stop comparing.*
That God blessed me more does not mean He loves me more. Our job is to heal hearts, not to break them with our words.
Father, thank you because you love me equally and unconditionally. Help me to use my words to heal and lift others, not to break their hearts. In Jesus name, Amen.