One Message for All

Jesus commanded his disciples to proclaim the Good News of salvation and his kingdom to every inhabited corner of the Earth.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about reforming society or fixing governments. His message summons all men to repent and join an entirely new social order and political reality, the Kingdom of God. His “Good News” is contrary to the political philosophies of this present “evil age.” Responding positively to his invitation is vital considering the approaching disappearance of the existing order from the Earth.

Christ’s kingdom is founded on his Death “as a ransom for many,” and his Resurrection from the dead whereby His Father validated his sacrifice. That means God's Kingdom is incompatible with the ideologies and methods of wielding power that characterize this fallen world.

[Photo by Guilherme Stecanella on Unsplash]

Jesus sent his disciples to proclaim his teachings and lordship to all nations. After his Resurrection, he announced, “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 that all men without exception need to hear.

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).

The last clause is from the Second Psalm and its vision of the Anointed Son of God governing the Earth. This Messianic reign began following Christ’s Death, Resurrection, and Ascension:

• “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 nations, and so, he now sends his heralds to announce salvation and his lordship to the furthest regions of the planet - wherever men and women are found. Every nation, people, tribe, and linguistic group must hear his message.

Paul of Tarsus described himself as the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” The former persecutor of the “way” became the chief envoy to the Gentiles of the Kingdom of God. Justification before God is received through faith in Jesus by all believers, both Jews and Gentiles.

With God, “there is no distinction” or “respect of person.” It is not ethnicity that acquits anyone before Him. Every man stands or falls on the same basis. Sin is the Great Equalizer that places everyone in the same predicament - both Jews and Gentiles alike - (Romans 1:14-17).

ONE COMMUNITY

Because of Christ’s redemptive act, everyone who responds to the Gospel with faith is put in right standing with God “through the faith of Jesus.” There is no basis for boasting or self-confidence “since all have sinned and lack the glory of God.” Moreover, Jesus died for us when we were “yet enemies of God.” The redemption provided by God was an act of pure grace - (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 – “God is one!”:

• “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” – (Romans 3:29-31).

No man is at an advantage or disadvantage before Him because of nationality, economic status, race, 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, a covenant community, singular, composed of men and women of every country who have been redeemed by the blood of His Son. In his domain, every human relationship is redefined and reoriented by and around its absolute Lord.

• “They sing a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain and redeemed for God by your blood men out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they reign on the earth” – (Revelation 5:9-10).

The “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” is shaping redeemed men and women collectively and individually into the image of His Son. The traditional distinctions of race, and social or economic status have no place in this community. What each believer 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 our man-made social, racial, economic, national, and political divisions - (Galatians 3:28).

Our mission as Christ’s disciples is to proclaim this message in every inhabited corner of the Earth Its completion is necessary before his return “on the clouds of heaven.” National borders, cultural imperatives, and ethnic barriers will not prevent the “Kingdom of God” from reaching its completion - (Matthew 24:14).

The day is coming when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish from the Earth. Sin, disease, and death will be eliminated. This 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).

Until that day, 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.”

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SEE ALSO:

• To the Ends of the Earth - (The Gospel of the Kingdom of God announced by Jesus is a message of life for men and women of every nation and people)

• The New Covenant - (The Gift of the Spirit is essential to the New Covenant promised by God in the Hebrew Bible for His people)

• One New Man - (By his death, Jesus formed one covenant community - One New Man - based on faith in him, not ethnicity or nationality – Ephesians 2:11-22)

• UNO Hombre Nuevo - (Por su Muerte y Resurrección, Jesús formó una comunidad del nuevo pacto - Uno Nuevo Hombre-basada en la fe en él - Efesios 2: 11-22)