During these past four weeks I’ve been sharing the wisdom of God’s grace with you. And perhaps you’re of the opinion that His grace is only for certain people…like the ones who go to church or the ones who are baptized or the ones who profess themselves as Christians. But that’s not what the Bible says: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men (people) from every nation who fear Him and do what is right” (the Apostle Peter, Acts 10:24-25).
It is with this in mind, that the mission of every church is to share God’s Good News generously with all people. It’s also God’s will purposed in the life and ministry; in the death and rising of His beloved Son, Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior.
This is evidenced throughout the Holy Scriptures as God appointed prophets and priests; as He called apostles and evangelists; and continues to call pastors and teachers—-to equip the saints for the work of ministry…” (Ephesians 4:11); to “declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).
This is evidenced in such recorded accounts as Jonah and the big fish, as he was sent to the enemy of his people so that God might extend to them mercy (His undeserved love in not getting what they truly deserved) and grace (His undeserved love in getting what they didn’t deserve).
Other recorded accounts include Rahab of Jericho, Cornelius the Roman and Zaccheus the tax collector. And Paul—one who hunted Christians down—converted to one called by God to be His apostle, who traveled extensively throughout Asia Minor and into Europe to plant and establish churches calling on all people to believe in Jesus Christ for the salvation of their soul. And this was no small endeavor but one given by God, directed by God, sustained by God, and blessed by God.
God spoke to Abraham: “I will surely bless you… and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed” (Genesis 22:17-18) –Israel, Judah, Galilee, Antioch, Ephesus, Macedonia, Rome—city by city across the boundaries of nations, throughout the world, “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) during the expanse of time.
In this sense, not much has changed as churches are planted and established to share God’s Good News with those who have not heard it or believed it. Yes, “God would have all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth” (I Timothy 2:4) as His church is a light to the world; a beacon shining on us, through us, and out from us to those still living in darkness and fear and doubt and unbelief; living in the way that leads to death.
Jesus declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
Through Christ we have access to the Father, without consideration of our nationality, our ethnicity, our race, our language, our history, our peculiarity, our individualism, or sin. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood purifies us from all sin. In Christ, God accepts all people to come to Him. He always has and He always will, for His mercy and grace endure forever.
Each month the clergy of the
Cook County Ministerium offer
spiritual reflections. This week’s
contributor is the Rev. Dean
Rudloff of Life in Christ Lutheran
Church (LCMS).
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