A New Message
The Gospel proclaimed by Jesus of Nazareth is NOT about reforming a fallen society, fixing a corrupt government, or cleaning up an immoral culture. It summons all men and women who will heed it to repent and join an entirely new and vastly different social order and political reality, namely, the Kingdom of God. If anything, it subverts the political ideologies and popular beliefs of this age.
Responding positively to this message is vital considering the approaching end of the present age when the existing world order will cease to exist.
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| [Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash] |
And he calls his disciples to proclaim the Good News of this kingdom TO ALL NATIONS. After his resurrection, he declared - “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.” This is a message for all men.
Just before his ascension, he commanded his followers to tarry in Jerusalem until they “received power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.” Thereafter, they were to be “his witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH” - (Acts 1:7-9).
The last clause is derived from the second Psalm with its vision of the anointed Son ruling over the earth, and his reign began following his resurrection and ascension:
- “I will tell of the decree: Yahweh said to me: You are my son. This day, have I begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE EARTH for your possession” – (Psalm 2:7-8).
As Abraham’s heir, Jesus inherited the earth and all nations. Consequently, he now sends his heralds to announce his reign to the ends of the earth.
JEW AND GENTILE ALIKE
The Apostle Paul wrote a lengthy letter to the churches in Rome. In it, he calls himself the “apostle to the Gentiles,” the envoy of God’s kingdom to the nations. As such, proclaiming the gospel to the nations is his primary concern - (Romans 1:14-17).
And this same Apostle now declares that the “righteousness of God” is received through faith in Jesus by all who believe, BOTH JEW AND GREEK. With God, “there is no distinction” or “respect of person.”
Everyone stands or falls before Him on the same basis. Sin is the Great Leveler that places every man, woman, and child in the same desperate predicament - both Jews and Gentiles alike.
And because “God is one” and the Creator of all men, He offers salvation to everyone regardless of ethnicity, and to each on the same basis – to both Jews and Gentiles alike. Comprehending this proposition is key to understanding the first several chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans:
- (Romans 3:22-30) – “A righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all that have faith; FOR THERE IS NO DISTINCTION, for all have sinned and lack the glory of God; being declared righteous freely by his grace. through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… Where, then, is the boasting! It is excluded. Through what kind of law? Of works? Nay, but through a law of faith. For we reckon that a man is to be declared righteous by faith apart from works of law. Or is God the God of Jews only, and not of the Gentiles also? Yea! of the Gentiles also, If, at all events, God is one, who will declare righteous the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through their faith.”
FROM THE FAITH OF JESUS
Now, “in Christ,” all men are set right on the same basis, whether Jew or Gentile, namely, FROM THE FAITH OF JESUS. There is no basis for human boasting or self-confidence “since all have sinned and lack the glory of God.”
And Paul appeals to his monotheistic faith to support this proposition - “Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one and will justify the circumcised from faith and the uncircumcised through faith.”
No man is advantaged or disadvantaged before God because of his ethnicity, social position, economic status, or gender. As Paul writes to the church in Colossae - “There cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all and in all.” – (Colossians 3:9-11).
In Jesus, God is creating a new humanity, one composed of men and women from every nation and culture. Moreover, He is shaping them collectively and individually into the image of His Son. Therefore, the traditional distinctions of race, gender, social, and economic status are now wholly inappropriate. What each believer has in common is the “faith of Jesus.”
The announcement of this glorious salvation is one message, and it is intended for all men. The good news announced by Jesus transcends all man-made walls and divisions - (Galatians 3:28).
THE MISSION
And so, the primary task of his disciples is to proclaim this good news in every inhabited corner of the earth, and its completion is necessary before the return of Jesus at the end of the age. National borders, cultural imperatives, and ethnic barriers will not prevent the “kingdom of God” from reaching its consummation - (Matthew 24:14).
The day is coming when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish from the earth. Sin, Satan, disease, and death will be eliminated from the world forever.
This grand victory will coincide with the “arrival” of Jesus in power when he resurrects the righteous dead, vanquishes “death” itself, rewards his faithful followers, and ushers in the final reign of God in all its grandeur - (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).
In the interim, His sons and daughters are called to proclaim this good news to every man, woman, and child. And all who do hear and respond in faith will receive salvation and everlasting life.
