Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. (Acts 13:38-41)
The Jews rejected the message of hope, desiring that Paul would depart from their country but the Gentiles wanted to hear more. Paul became convinced of his calling to take the message of hope in Christ, though still to the Jew first, to the Gentiles. Paul understood the command of the Lord for him to be light to the Gentiles. Only Jesus could save them, Jew or Gentile, but the Jews would not hear, so Paul, though still willing to preach to Jews who would listen, began to preach Jesus to the Gentiles wherever he went. He had the same message of faith in Christ but adjusted his efforts to reach the Gentiles with the witness of Jesus Christ from the Scriptures.
God’s church must recognize that though the message does not change our methods and programs must. Only Jesus can save by grace alone and that by repentance and faith in Him alone and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Our only message of Christ crucified is from the Scriptures alone and we do all to the glory of God alone. Though our audience and witnesses may change, God does not and we, as His servants, are to be obedient, as Paul was, to adjust to the changes around us and alter or abolish programs, methods, efforts, and our thinking, to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which does not change, to a lost and dying world, publishing His Word and proclaim His great Salvation throughout our regions.
God calls all His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet