September 30th - The Grace of God is for All Nations

“Now it occurred three days after, that he calls together those who are foremost of the Jews...Paul making one declaration, that, "Ideally the holy spirit speaks through Isaiah the prophet, to your fathers, saying, 'Go to this people and say, "In hearing, you will be hearing, and may by no means be understanding, And observing, you will be observing, and may by no means be perceiving,"…Let it be known to you, then, that to the nations is dispatched this salvation of God, and they will hear." Now he remains two whole years in his own hired house, and he welcomed all those going in to him…heralding the kingdom of God, and teaching that which concerns the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, unforbidden.” (Acts 28:17-31)

The book of Acts records the transition of God speaking exclusively to the people of Israel to the present era in which God is speaking to the people of all nations. Looking back on when God was speaking only to Israel Paul wrote to the nations…

“You were, in that era, apart from Christ, being alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and guests of the promised covenants, having no expectation, and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12).

After God began speaking to all nations, Paul wrote…

“Consequently, then, no longer are you (the other nations) guests and sojourners, but are FELLOW-CITIZENS of the saints and belong to God’s family.” (Ephesians 2:19)

Paul’s message was that, in Christ Jesus, Jews and Gentiles are now unified. Therefore, all people belong in God's family.

"Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." (Romans 10:11-12)

"This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 3:6)

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29)

"Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." (Colossians 3:11-12)

Paul, in his final letter, told Timothy to remind people to correctly understand the word of truth...

“Of these things be reminding them, encouraging them in the Lord's sight not to engage in controversy that is not useful and just upsets those who are hearing. Try to present yourself to God as a qualified, and unashamed worker, correctly understanding the word of truth...”  (2 Timothy 2:14-15)