Many in the world would be surprised to hear that the message of Christ is inclusive, but the reality is—as the good old hymn goes–the Gospel is for all. The teaching that Christ only died for a restricted few people whom God has unconditionally chosen is false. God wants all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). In Galatians 3:8, Paul writes, “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” The Gospel in seed form was preached to Abraham in Genesis 12:3. The seed of Abraham who would bless all nations of the world is Christ (Gal. 3:16). Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). After His death and resurrection Jesus commissioned that His followers make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19), going into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature (Mk. 16:15). The apostles were to start at Jerusalem and carry the message to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Centuries before Christ issued these marching orders, Isaiah prophesied that all nations would flow unto Jerusalem from whence Christ’s law would come forth (Isa. 2:2-3).
God is not a respecter of persons; He shows no partiality regarding race and nationality (Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34). Salvation is by God’s grace through man’s faith (Eph. 2:8). Today, God does not have a special benefit package reserved for the Jews. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile in God’s eyes (Rom. 3:22; 10:12). “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:28-29). How much more inclusive could God get?
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not only inclusive, it is all-inclusive—that is, it is comprehensive in its instructions to all regarding what to do to please God and be eternally saved (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). While the Gospel of Jesus Christ is extended to all, He provides eternal salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). The totality of Christ’s message was not delivered to His apostles before His death (John 16:12). But His apostles were guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). They were reminded of what Jesus had said while physically present with them and they were taught the totality of the message including instruction Jesus did not personally give (John 14:26). For example, Paul had some instruction regarding marriage that the Lord Jesus did not delve into during His earthly ministry (1 Cor. 7:10-12). Through the total message the Holy Spirit delivered by the first-century apostles and prophets, He reproves the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8). The all-inclusive Gospel commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Let’s not limit the Gospel to only people who are like us in cultural background, race, and class but strive to cross those boundaries to deliver the soul-saving message to all.
–Mark Day
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