During the weekend message, we debunked the myth that some people hold that Christians are narrow-minded because of our belief that Jesus is the only way to heaven and an eternity with God forever. The truth is, this belief is not narrow-minded at all because Jesus’ invitation to turn to Him, receive forgiveness of sins, and spend eternity with Him is offered to all people. In fact, the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:8 that God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins “while we were still sinners.” The invitation available to all to turn to Him is certainly the opposite of narrow-mindedness.
One of the ministries of the apostle Paul, who wrote many books of the New Testament, was to make it clear that salvation is for everyone. You see, many Jewish people saw their faith as exclusive to their people. God gave the apostle Paul the message that salvation is available to every single person, both Jews and Gentiles. Paul wrote about this in Romans 10. In this passage, Paul summarized the message he and his missionary partners preached: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (verse 9). Paul’s words make it clear that there is one way to salvation and eternal life with God: declaring that Jesus is Lord and believing that He was raised from the dead. There is no other way. Next, Paul continued teaching about salvation in Jesus, saying, “As the Scriptures tell us, ‘Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced’” (verse 11). This, Paul made it clear, includes Jews and Gentiles because “they have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him” (verse 12). Notice the word “all” in verse 12. God is generous and gracious to every single person who calls on Him. Paul concluded this thought by telling us why God is so generous and gracious, saying, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Once again, we see the word “everyone.” Every single human being has the invitation to place their faith in Christ because of God’s extravagant love and grace.
The understanding that salvation is available to every single human being on earth directly opposes the myth that Christians are narrow-minded. The truth that salvation in Jesus is available to everyone who places their faith in Him is the truth that we must carry as we share our faith and make Christ known. Because salvation is available to all, we ought to share our faith with all of the people we encounter, even the people whom we assume are “too far gone.” Our job is to share our faith with everyone and let God work in the hearts and lives of those we share our faith with. Praise God that His gift of salvation is freely given to all who come to Him!
Is there anyone whom you have viewed as “too far gone” or whom you have doubted would ever turn to Christ? Confess that to God now, acknowledging that you know that His calling is for everyone to turn to Him, including the person on your mind now. Commit to sharing your faith with that person, even when you may doubt that that person will ever come to Him. Ask Him to help you as you reach out to that person and to work in their lives in miraculous ways.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, as I remember that Your invitation to follow Christ is available to all, I praise You for…”
Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
Salvation Is for Everyone
5 For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. 6 But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 7 And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 8 In fact, it says,
“The message is very close at hand;
it is on your lips and in your heart.”
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:
“The message has gone throughout the earth,
and the words to all the world.”
19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,
“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation.
I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”
20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,
“I was found by people who were not looking for me.
I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”
21 But regarding Israel, God said,
“All day long I opened my arms to them,
but they were disobedient and rebellious.”
