SCRIPTURE
Romans 11:25-32 (NRSV)
Do not claim to be wiser than you are
So that you may not claim to be wiser than you are, brothers and sisters, I want you to understand this mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written,
"Out of Zion will come the Deliverer;
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob."
"And this is my covenant with them,
when I take away their sins."
As regards the gospel they are enemies of God for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
DEVOTION
In today’s scripture reading Paul is writing to the Gentile Christians in Rome in order to help them understand God’s good plan to save both the Jews and the Gentiles.
Isn’t it wonderful good news that God loves the entire world so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life?!
In Romans 10 Paul states, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”
Hallelujah! Isn’t this wonderful good news?!
In short, God’s salvation is available to anyone—and everyone—who is willing to believe that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected on the third day in order to attain our salvation!
As human beings, we classify human beings into all sorts of categories. We discriminate on the basis of things like race, religion, national origin, color, sex, age, veteran status, disability, and the like.
But, God is not like us! God loves all of us unconditionally and without favoritism. This great love leads God to make provision for our right relationship and eternal home with God.
Today, I want to challenge us to allow follow the example of Christ! As Christians we are called to love and serve all of God’s children without respect of persons. We are commissioned to share good news and to be good news in the lives of all people, of every nation, tribes, peoples, and tongues. We are to go out into all the world and make disciples of all people!
Will you make up your mind to put aside your personal prejudices and love, serve, and evangelize all of the members of your community? If so, please pray with me:
Holy God, I confess to you that I have often discriminated against your children. I am sorry. Please help me to become so full of your love that I feel compelled to share good news with everyone whom I meet. I want my local church to look like the vision of heaven found in Revelation Chapter 7. That vision depicts a multi-ethnic fellowship of Christian believers in worship! Please use me to bring this vision to pass on Earth until you come from Heaven. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen!
THE INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus."
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