Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Salvation to all who Believe
Romans 15:7-13

  Nicole Thomas


St. John’s MTC, NY

7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

 

Each Christian may be in different stages of their walk of faith, but we can collectively say we are God’s children. However, this claim wasn’t always true according to the Old Testament. Israel was God’s own and others were the Gentiles. But we know based on our faith that Jesus did not die just to save Israel.

 
    In Ephesians 2:12-14, it summaries that we were at one point separate from God, excluded from Israel. At one point we were left without hope and without God in our world, but with Christ’s blood we have been brought near. He is our peace and hope, the one who has destroyed all barriers. In order to become closer to God we know that we need to become more Christ like. Jesus interacted and loved the outcasts of His time. We bear His name as Christians and seek to follow Him, but how do we handle the outcasts of our time?

 
Our version of outcasts varies between people. The definition of outcasts can be shaped based on our country of origin, religion, race, culture, socioeconomic status and health. As much as we don’t want to admit it, we also have defined people in our churches as outcasts. They can be the financially unstable, divorced, remarried, abused, mentally ill, addicts, “rebellious” teens, etc. Church is not a place for “saints”, but it is a place for sinners. All are welcome at Jesus’ table. We were once outcasts, so we have no right to judge others. Our responsibility in church and outside is to demonstrate love.

 
Romans 15:7 says to accept one another because Christ accepted us through His love and ultimate sacrifice.  The following verses emphasize that we all need to collectively glorify God for His mercy. The mission of the universal church is to deliver the gospel of salvation to EVERYONE so that God’s name will be gloried.

 
This goal can be achieved if we all collectively spread the gospel of love to everyone and eventually our world will be a land of peace and love, singing praise to our Father. In unity, we can praise God here on earth, and we can continue this in heaven. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelations 4:8

PRAYER

God our Father, we thank You for Your mercy. Continue to widen our narrow hearts with Your love. Use us as vessels to spread love, hope, joy and peace to all. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
 
Let us strive to be light in this world of darkness and love and accept others so we can all collectively praise God.
  

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