With a glossy flyer, a new store advertises free gift bags for anyone who comes to their grand opening. After standing in line for an hour, you get to the door and read, “Free gift bags while supplies last.” The person ahead of you got the last one. You go online to get tickets to the big game only to find out that it is sold out. Medication which could save thousands may be available only to a few. Even when something is offered to “all,” there are almost always exclusions.
Some assume God operates the same way. Salvation can’t possibly be for all. There must be standards to meet and limited supplies. You must be the right kind of person, have the proper heritage, be in the right place, or know someone who has connections. It leaves people wondering where they stand with God. Have they done enough to qualify for eternal life? How can they be sure? What if they have a tarnished record?
No matter how many times you’ve missed out on a gift bag or been disappointed when you couldn’t get a table at your favorite restaurant, you never have to wonder whether there is a place for you at God’s table. God’s love covers all people. God so loved the world, the Bible tells us. The message can’t be any clearer or more inclusive. Jesus commissioned the disciples to go and make disciples of “all nations,” no exclusions. No one is left out.
To illustrate, Jesus told a parable about a great banquet. Those invited first made all kinds of excuses for not coming. The host sent his servant back out into the streets and alleys of the town to bring in the poor, crippled, the blind and the lame. With room to spare, the master sent the servant even farther afield to bring in as many as he could find, so that the banquet hall would be filled (Luke 14:15-24).
There is salvation for all. The Lord invites us who are spiritually poor, crippled, blind, and lame with sin to come to Him for perfect healing. You’re included. There is nothing you can or need do. Salvation is already bought and paid for by Jesus’ perfect life and death as your substitute. Salvation for all means that it is also for everyone you will meet today. Tell them the good news.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor
Services tomorrow are at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m. and adult Bible class is at 9:30 a.m. The Bible class will begin a study of “Ten Lies About God.” Everyone is welcome.
The Ram Page Click here to view the January issue of the Messiah School newsletter.
