The Message
The Gospel proclaimed by Jesus is NOT about reforming society or fixing governments. His message summons all men and women to repent and join an entirely new social order and political reality, namely, the Kingdom of God, and his message contradicts the political ideologies of the present “evil age.” Responding positively to his invitation is vital considering the approaching end of the existing world order and its disappearance from the Earth.
Jesus of Nazareth dispatched
his disciples to proclaim his teachings and lordship 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 life-changing message for all men without exception.
[Photo by Robert Wiedemann on Unsplash] |
Just before his ascension, he commanded his followers to wait in Jerusalem until they “received power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” Thereafter, they would be “his witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost part of the earth” - (Acts 1:7-9).
This last clause is from the Second
Psalm and its vision of the Anointed Son of God governing the Earth. This Messianic
reign began following the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus:
- “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 – Emphasis added).
As the Messiah and heir of Abraham, Jesus inherited
the Earth, including all its nations, therefore, he now sends his heralds to announce
salvation and his lordship to the furthest regions of the planet, wherever men
are found. Every nation, people, tribe, and linguistic group must hear his message.
The Apostle Paul wrote a lengthy letter to
the assemblies of Rome in which he called himself the “Apostle to the
Gentiles.” The former persecutor of the “way” had become the chief envoy
to the Gentiles of the Kingdom of God - (Romans 1:14-17).
He wrote that the “righteousness of God”
is received through faith in Jesus by all who believe, both Jews and
Gentiles, for, with God, “there is no distinction” or “respect of
person.” It is not ethnicity or social position that acquits anyone before
Him.
Every man stands or falls before God on the same basis. Sin is the Great Leveler that places everyone in the same awful predicament - both Jews and Gentiles alike.
Because “God is one” and the Creator
of all humanity, He offers salvation to every man, woman, and child regardless
of his or her ethnicity, nationality, or social status, and on the same basis –
to both Jews and Gentiles alike.
FROM THE FAITH OF JESUS
Because of Christ’s redemptive act, everyone
who responds to the Gospel with faith is put in right standing with God and acquitted
of the well-deserved penalties of sin, and on the same basis for all, namely,
from the faith of Jesus. There
is no basis for boasting or self-confidence “since all have sinned and lack
the glory of God.” For that matter, Jesus died for all men when we were “yet
enemies of God” - (Romans 3:22-30).
Paul appeals to his monotheistic faith to
support the proposition that everyone stands or falls before God on the same
basis: “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
Him because of nationality, economic status, or gender. As Paul wrote to the Colossians,
“There
cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,
bondman, freeman, but Christ is all and in all.” – (Colossians 3:9-11).
Through Jesus, God is creating a new humanity
and a different political reality that are radically different from the nations
and governments of this fallen world, a covenant community, singular, composed
of men and women of every country who have been redeemed by the blood of His
Son, the one who “gave his life as a ransom for many.”
In his domain, every human relationship is redefined and reoriented by and around its absolute Lord.
The “God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ” is shaping redeemed men and women collectively and individually into
the image of His Son, and therefore, the traditional distinctions of race, and social
or economic status are wholly inappropriate in his covenant community. What each
believer regardless of national origin has in common is the “faith of Jesus.”
The announcement of this salvation is one
message, and it is intended for all men. The Good News announced by the
Nazarene transcends man-made divisions, be they social, racial, economic,
national, or political - (Galatians 3:28).
The assigned task of his Assembly is to
proclaim this message in every inhabited corner of the Earth, and its
completion is necessary before the return of Jesus “on the clouds of heaven.”
National borders, cultural imperatives, and ethnic barriers will not prevent
the “Kingdom of God” from reaching its consummation - (Matthew 24:14).
[Photo by Joseph Sintum on Unsplash] |
The day is coming when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish from the Earth, and sin, disease, and death will be eliminated forevermore. This grand victory will coincide with the “arrival” of Jesus in power when he will resurrect the righteous dead, vanquish “Death” itself, reward his faithful followers, judge the wicked, and usher in the reign of God in all its grandeur - (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
In the interim, his people are called to
proclaim his Good News “to the uttermost parts of the Earth.” Everyone who
hears and responds to it with faith will receive the forgiveness of sin and salvation,
and everlasting life in the “age to come.”
RELATED POSTS:
- Salvation for the Nations - (The Gospel of the Kingdom announced by Jesus of Nazareth offers salvation and life to men and women of every nation and people)
- The Mission - (The mission of the church between now and Christ’s return is to announce the Good News of his Kingdom to all nations – Matthew 24:14)
- Sign of the End - (According to Jesus. the End will not come until this Gospel of the Kingdom of God has been proclaimed to all nations on the Earth – Matthew 24:14)
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