Paul was distinctly the missionary to the Gentiles, the non-Jews of his days. But one of his greatest problems was to bring the Jews to accept that Gentiles could be saved in the same way as Jews were through Christ. Here Paul picked out four quotations from the Old Testament to prove that God had always planned to include the non-Jews in His family. But it was very difficult for the Jewish people to understand and accept that was what God had wanted. In these verses there is a beautiful picture of Jews and Gentiles praising God together, rejoicing together, and recognizing Christ together. In Christ the middle wall of partition had been broken down. The Jews thought of themselves as God's own chosen people, to the exclusion of all others. Thank God however that there were those who were willing to preach the Gospel of Christ to all men at the risk of their own lives. One of the greatest features of the Christian Gospel is the fact that no matter who that person may be, what nationality or race, and what social standing, he can come to Christ and be saved. At the same time, those who have accepted the Gospel have the responsibility of sharing it. Believers are often called stewards in the epistles. The Gospel has been entrusted to us so that we might share it with others. Before we criticize the first century Jews, let's take a look at our own attitudes. What about others? Are we prepared to sit in our nice and comfortable church buildings and forget that God wants others to hear the wonderful life-changing Gospel, too? Let's ask God to stir our hearts today for others. A VERSE FOR TODAY: "My ambition is to preach the Gospel where Christ is not known." (Romans 15:20) |