Partakers Of His Promise In Christ By The Gospel - Part 2235

"For by One Spirit are we all baptized into One body, whether we [be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into One Spirit." (I Corinthians 12:13) 

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulls, or adds thereto." (Galatians 3:13-15)

"... that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel:" (Ephesians 3:6)

Regardless of how many well intended resolutions we might make at New Years, we recognize (often later rather than sooner) that we are, once again just jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. In some countries, it is reported of individuals taking their personal search for renewal to the extreme. Indeed, it has been reported that there are those who will lay themselves down inside manufactured wooden coffins, in their quest to be reborn. The idea is that in arising out of the coffin, they do so as new individuals. Surely this is a joke but it does show how far some men will venture in their endeavour to escape the entanglement of sin. Would it not be easier to just ask Jesus into your life, so that the God who made us and loved us so much could renew our hearts from the inside out? I will leave this thought with you to ponder.

Today, the discussion focuses on the Jews and the Gentiles and the distinction that is made between the two. In fact, man tends to elevate the Jew as being the people of God. This perspective, even though there is no difference between a Jew and a Gentile. As the scriptures clearly state, they were a people that God formerly foreknew.

In the New Testament, we note that God poured out His Spirit upon believing Gentiles too. This is the same gift of His holy Spirit that was available to all who called upon His Name. In so doing, God thereby signified that He placed no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles.

If we follow the scriptures, we read that the Jews were cut off from God because of their unbelief. God did not cast them out. He simply laid them aside because of their unbelief. The same message was delivered to the Gentiles. That is, the warning that if the Gentiles fall into unbelief, as did the Jews, then they also would be cut off.

But again, the gospel message that God brought forward is a good news message of hope and salvation that extends to one and all. There is no difference between races. There is no difference between men and women. For if the Jew were to call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus, who is the Seed of the ONE GOD, then they also would be grafted into the household of God.

It is this message that we need to grasp. The same God who loved us so much when He created us, still loves us that much (and more!) today. It is just that in the midst of the timeline that extends from the beginning of time until now, this same God took it upon Himself to become flesh and shed His holy precious blood for us on Calvary so that we could be saved. So that we might experience a relationship with our Creator, and understand His purposes in our heart. And so too, that He can fill our cups with His joy and peace and love to the point wherein our cup runneth over.

It is this risen Saviour that we need to ask into our lives. Why? Because Jesus loves you beyond measure! The Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep, whilst we were still His enemies. Love displayed for one and all to behold.

Stand in the offering plate!