Salvation Is For Everyone

Romans 1:14-17

Racial prejudice has been a problem throughout history. Simeon and Levi murdering the family of Hamor because Shechem wanted to marry Dinah in Genesis 34 is just one example. We still see efforts to eliminate another race in Palestine, in Iraq, in the Congo and other African countries, in Ireland, and in several eastern European countries. They are no different than Hitler’s attacks on the Jews.

In Paul’s day the prejudice was just as strong, with the Jews looking down on everyone else because they were “God’s people.” Ignoring that God had brought them under Roman domination for their own sin, they hated the Romans because they had authority over them, rebelling at every opportunity. They hated the idea of others, and especially the Romans being saved.

While Paul was a Jew, he had a great obligation to the people around him. Beside the spiritual responsibility given by God, his culture, his education, and his freedom were partly results of the non-Jewish peoples, around them, preserving peace, and providing food and transportation. Preaching the gospel was a way of fulfilling the obligation. Every race has contributed to our present world at various times in history.

“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” (Romans 1:14-15)

Sometimes, as we look at the pageantry of other religions, we are a little in awe of the tremendous ceremonies and temples or mosques. We feel unable to compete with the pomp and splendor of such groups. Academic degrees, or public acclaim often produce similar feelings of inferiority. We hesitate to speak of Christ, or to openly serve him when surrounded and out numbered by other groups.

Prior to and during the Revolutionary war, many were overawed by the British army with it’s beautiful uniforms, precision marching, powerful weapons, and vast financial and political support. Despite a lack of support, inferior weapons, food shortages, and inferior numbers, Washington and the American army defeated the British. The war was not won by pomp and ceremony, powerful weapons or by decorated officers, but by the dedicated fighting of patriots. Like David when he saw Goliath, Paul refused to be overawed.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)

Confronting Goliath, David observed that Goliath came depending on his strength and his weapons, but David was depending on God. Man is unable to save himself, but God can and has promised to do so for everyone who believes. As II Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” He desires that everyone be saved.

The Jews had the first opportunity to hear and receive Christ, but it wasn’t limited to the Jews. Later, in Romans 10:12-13, Paul states “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” His atonement is not limited. I John 2:2 tells us, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

By trusting God to do what he has promised, rather than trying to make it happen ourselves, we allow God to show his righteousness. When we try to make it happen ourselves, we conceal his righteousness. Our obedience demonstrates our trust. The Just, those who have been justified by him shall live by faith.